The Government has given its approval for paid leave for victims of domestic violence.

Those who are suffering or at risk of domestic violence will be entitled to five days of paid leave per year.

The Government will also put in place supports for employers to assist them in developing domestic violence workplace policies, and to better support employees experiencing domestic violence.

It's part of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill.

This'll see a range of measures to improve family-friendly work practices and support women in the workforce.

It will introduce a right to request flexible working arrangements for caring purposes for parents and carers.

A right to leave for medical care purposes will also form part of it, both for employees with children up to age 12 and carers.

And it will see an extension of the current entitlement to breastfeeding/lactation breaks from six months to two years.

Equality Minister Roderic O'Gorman said: "Through a wide-ranging suite of measures, it will provide additional flexibility to ensure that parents and carers can be supported to balance their working and family lives.

"Importantly, the bill will also provide significant assistance to those who are suffering domestic, sexual or gender-based violence.

"The Government has always prioritised the issue of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence, and Ireland will now become one of the first countries in Europe to introduce a right to paid leave for victims of domestic violence," he added.

The Domestic Violence Leave Report has also been approved, which includes recommendations on how best to support employees experiencing domestic abuse.