Can I take domestic violence leave in Ireland?
Yes — every employee has a statutory right to 5 days of paid domestic violence leave. Since 27 November 2023, under the Work Life Balance Act 2023, you can take 5 days of paid domestic violence leave in any 12-month period, with no minimum service required. It's paid by your employer at your full normal daily rate and must not be referenced on your payslip. It covers experiencing domestic violence yourself or supporting a "relevant person" (a partner, a child under 18, or a dependant), needs no notice in emergencies, and the employer generally can't ask for proof. This is separate from statutory sick pay, which remains 5 days in 2026 (the planned rise to 7 didn't happen), paid at 70% of pay capped at €110 a day. In short: yes — 5 fully paid days, from day one.
📋 The rules
- 5 days paid domestic violence leave a year
- A right from day one — no minimum service
- Paid at your full normal daily rate
- Not referenced on your payslip
- No proof generally required
🔓 Exceptions
- Part-time workers get it pro-rata; a part-day counts as a full day
- It also covers supporting a 'relevant person' (partner, child, dependant)
- Statutory sick pay is separate — 5 days at 70%, capped at €110/day
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Complaints go to the WRC, generally within 6 months (extendable to 12 for reasonable cause), and employees are protected from dismissal or victimisation for taking the leave. Domestic violence leave is paid at your full normal daily rate (or the 13-week average if pay varies), with any part-day counting as a full day. Separately, statutory sick pay stays at 5 days in 2026, paid at 70% of normal pay, capped at €110 a day (so higher earners are capped at €77), needing 13 weeks' service and a medical certificate; if your contract scheme is more favourable, that applies instead. Beware a myth: "statutory sick pay rose to 7 days in 2026" is false — it remains 5 days; the further increase was deferred. To take domestic violence leave: tell your employer — no evidence is generally needed.
📎 Official sources
- Citizens Information — domestic violence leave →
- WRC — domestic violence leave →
- Citizens Information — sick leave →
❓ Frequently asked
What is domestic violence leave?
Domestic violence leave is a statutory right, introduced in November 2023, to five days of paid leave in any 12-month period for employees experiencing domestic violence, or supporting a relevant person such as a partner, child or dependant who is. It lets you deal with things like seeking safety, legal help, medical care or housing without losing pay.
Do I qualify from day one?
Yes. There's no minimum length of service required for domestic violence leave — it's a day-one right for all employees. You're entitled to up to five days in a 12-month period, paid by your employer at your full normal daily rate. Part-time workers get a pro-rata entitlement based on their normal hours.
Do I have to provide proof?
Generally no. The employer can't usually require evidence to grant domestic violence leave, and in emergencies you don't have to give advance notice. Importantly, the leave must not be identified separately on your payslip, to protect your privacy and safety. This makes it easier to take the leave when you urgently need it.
Is it the same as sick leave?
No, it's separate. Domestic violence leave is its own entitlement of five fully paid days. Statutory sick pay is a different scheme — also five days in 2026 — but paid at 70% of your normal pay, capped at €110 a day, and requiring 13 weeks' service and a medical certificate. You can use each for its own purpose.
Did statutory sick pay rise to 7 days?
No. Although there had been plans to increase statutory sick pay to seven days, that increase didn't take effect, so it remains five days in 2026. The rise was deferred and requires a government order that hasn't been made. Sick pay is paid at 70% of normal pay, capped at €110 per day.
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