Debate contribution: Domestic Abuse Safe Leave Regulations
Debate contribution by Dr Caoimhe Archibald on .
- MLA
- Dr Caoimhe Archibald
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 5 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Domestic Abuse Safe Leave Regulations
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5774401
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for her question. The Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Act 2022 is important legislation that was passed in the previous mandate, and I remain committed to laying the regulations to introduce paid domestic abuse safe leave before the end of this mandate. The 2022 Act will provide employees and workers who are the victims of domestic abuse with 10 days' paid safe leave in each leave year. That right to leave will be available from the first day of employment. My officials are working through the remaining technical and legal issues. The aim is to finalise the draft regulations by the end of October to allow time for the necessary Assembly procedures and Committee scrutiny. Detailed guidance is being developed alongside the regulations so that employers and those who need to use the entitlement have the clear, practical and sensitive information that they need before they come into operation. We are working with a group of stakeholders to develop that guidance so that it is practical for those who will need it.
175 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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