asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has abandoned his announced intention of transferring to employers from April 1988 the responsibility for payment of disability benefit for the first 13 weeks; the other changes, if any, which he has in mind for the payment of disability benefit this year including any changes in the tax treatment of disability benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Disability Benefit.
66.
The question of introducing a statutory sick pay scheme under which employers would be responsible for payments to their employees for an initial period of illness is under consideration in my Department. The Government are committed to the introduction of such a scheme as soon as practicable.
However, in view of the major development in the social welfare system which will be coming into effect in April, namely, the extension of social insurance to the self-employed, it has been decided to defer the introduction of new disability benefit arrangements.
I intend to bring forward proposals for the introduction of statutory sick pay arrangements later this year. There are no plans for any other changes in the disability benefit scheme at present.