Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 November 2012
131. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reconsider the possible introduction of the illness payment as business are just about surviving and this extra cost could cause them to have to make staff redundant only adding to the numbers on the live register; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53543/12]
View answerThe Government is aware of the concerns expressed by employers regarding the possible introduction of a scheme of statutory sick pay, and such concerns are central to our consideration of the matter.
The position remains that the range of complex issues associated with the introduction of such a scheme - including such matters as the provision of compensatory mechanisms for particularly vulnerable employers, the extent of coverage of such a scheme, the appropriate rate of payment involved and how a scheme would be enforced - continue to be examined in the Department.
As I have indicated previously, all of these issues need to be addressed to the satisfaction of the Government before any decision could be taken on the possible introduction of a statutory sick pay scheme.
