I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.
Earlier this year, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, who has policy responsibility for the sick pay scheme, held a consultative meeting to discuss potential changes to the scheme in Ireland. The meeting was held in the context of the growing cost of, and dependence on, State-funded sickness benefit schemes and the need to examine ways to address these issues.
I have received a number of representations from employers' bodies expressing concerns that a statutory sick pay scheme could add to the costs of doing business and impact on job creation. I am also aware of the views of the Small Firms Association on the matter. These submissions have argued that absences in the private sector are already low by international standards and by comparison with the public sector. They have also pointed to the increased costs that would be involved, particularly for smaller employers. These submissions have also been sent in as part of the consultation phase.
Any formal proposals for changes in the sick pay scheme would be a matter for the budgetary process, which will be considered in due course by the Government, taking all factors into account. All Ministers are aware of the need to create a supportive enterprise environment in order to facilitate economic recovery and achieve the objective of having 100,000 more people at work by 2016, as committed to the action plan for jobs.
In our action plan for jobs, we seek to make reforms that improve the competitiveness of enterprise and I am aware of the dangers of any policy that could be seen to damage that competitiveness.
Any formal proposals for changes in the sick pay scheme would be a matter for the budgetary process, which will be considered in due course by the Government, taking all factors into account.
All Ministers are aware of the need to create a supportive environment to facilitate economic recover and achieve the objective of having 100,000 more people at work by 2016, as committed to in the action plan for jobs.