Employees who are victims of domestic violence will now be entitled to receive their full pay and can take up to five days off work without having to explain their absence.
The new policy was announced this morning by Roderick O' Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, and Disability.
The decision was made after discussions with employer representatives, trade unions, and support organisations for victims of domestic violence.
Minister O'Gorman says victims have new rights arising from fresh legislation.
"Last April the Government passed the Work Life Balance Act, which sets out a range of new rights for employees.
"One of these rights is five days paid leave for victims of domestic violence.
"The outcome of the consultation that I as Minister have decided that the leave will be paid at 100% of a person's normal salary.
"This is in recognition of the risk of poverty for victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence."
