Domestic Violence Leave

Teachers and Special Needs Assistants

Purpose

Domestic Violence Leave is available to a teacher who is a victim of domestic violence or who is assisting a ‘relevant’ person as defined in CL 59/2023 and CL 60/2023 to

  • seek medical attention;

  • obtain services from a victim services organisation;

  • obtain psychological or other professional counselling;

  • relocate residence temporarily or permanently;

  • obtain an order from a court under the Domestic Violence Act 2018;

  • seek advice or assistance from a legal practitioner;

  • seek assistance from the Garda Síochána; or

  • seek or obtain any other relevant services.

A relevant person includes:

  • the spouse or civil partner of the teacher;

  • the cohabitant of the teacher;

  • a person with whom the teacher is in an intimate relationship;

  • a child of the teacher who has not attained full age; or

  • a person who, in relation to the teacher, is a dependent person.

Domestic Violence Leave is a period of paid leave and consists of one or more school days, but must not exceed a maximum of 5 school days in a consecutive 12-month period.

Absence on Domestic Violence Leave for part of a school day constitutes an absence for a full school day.

Domestic Violence Leave is statutory leave regulated by the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.

Paid/unpaid for teacher

Paid

Cover type

  • Paid substitute

  • Paid through OLCS

Circular Letter

For full details on Carer’s Leave, please refer to circular letter 59/2023 and 60/2023

See also Domestic Violence and Abuse and Support Policy for schools

Other Staff

Domestic Violence Leave is statutory leave regulated by the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. The leave is available to an employee who is a victim of domestic violence or who is assisting a ‘relevant person,’ as defined in the Act.

The leave entitles employees to up to five days of paid domestic violence leave over a period of 12 months.

An employee seeking to avail of Domestic Violence Leave is required to apply to the school as soon as is reasonably practicable, either before or after availing of such leave.

For full details of Domestic Violence Leave for School Secretaries covered by the WRC Agreement, please refer to Circular Letter 0015/2024.

See also Domestic Violence and Abuse and Support Policy for schools

This document provides support and information for schools on the type of supports that can be provided, other considerations that must be taken into account by an employer, such as issues around confidentiality and training, and provides a reference source for other supports that may be accessed by people who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse.