Vol. 432 No. 4
49 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is intended to proceed with the proposal to transfer responsibility for sickness payment to employers; if he has had discussions with the social partners regarding this proposal; if so, the response, if any, they have given to this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The question of transferring responsibility for sickness payments to employers, via a statutory sick pay system, is under consideration. Discussions have already been held with the social partners about the matter and they are ongoing.
The Government has decided that, from 6 April last, disability benefit is taxable and the administrative arrangements are in place to do this. This achieves one of the principal aims involved by the proposal to introduce statutory sick pay.
The question of transferring responsibility for paying sickness benefits to employers will be considered in the light of experience with the taxation of disability benefit and further discussion with the social partners.
