Victims of domestic violence will soon be able to receive their full pay if they need to take leave from work.
Domestic violence leave will be formally introduced in the autumn with the publication of regulations setting out the rate of pay and guidance for employers, currently being developed by Women's Aid.
The new form of leave was introduced as part of the Work Life Balance Act, which was passed earlier this year.
Minister for Equality Roderic O'Gorman said: "Domestic violence leave gives a victim of domestic violence the chance to access support without impacting on their employment and income.
"It is important that they can take the leave without worrying about losing income or being put at more risk.
"Ensuring that they can receive their full pay will go a long way to help with this."
Read more: Paid leave law should not require proof of abuse - Tánaiste
Minister O'Gorman told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that any employee can seek to avail of domestic violence leave.
Workers will have to disclose the type of leave they are taking to their employer, but do not have to provide any evidence, the minister explained.
"We'll be one of the first European countries to bring in paid leave for victims of domestic violence and this has been a priority for Government, part of our wider response in society and it’s a key priority for the Green Party," he said.
"We want to get a balance here to make it as easy as possible for employees to be able to avail of this legislation."
If an employer does not agree to the leave, the employee can contact the Workplace Relations Commission.
"Recognising it’s new and innovative, we’re going to review it after two years, to look at it's take up and effectiveness," Minister Gorman said.
"At that point there’s an opportunity to extend the amount of time for which it can be taken."
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