Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
564. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the effect on competitiveness, as reported to him by Forfás, if businesses must pay in full for employees' sick leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37397/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra565. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the effect on employment and the number of jobs which could be lost, as reported to him by Forfás, if businesses must pay in full for employees' sick leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37398/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra566. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the effect on wages, as reported to him by Forfás, if businesses must pay in full for employees' sick leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37399/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 564 to 566, inclusive, together.
As I have outlined in previous replies to questions on this matter in the House, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, initiated a consultation process earlier this year on the feasibility and implications of introducing a statutory sick pay scheme. This process was very much a first step in considering a range of issues that need to be examined in detail before any proposals can be progressed to possible implementation. 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.
To assist me in my consideration of these matters, I asked Forfás to examine the potential impact on competitiveness and employment of statutory sick pay, if such a scheme were to be introduced in this country. The report provided to me by Forfás forms part of a deliberative process of Government business and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it at this stage.
However, I am aware of the concerns raised by employer representatives that transferring responsibility for the payment of employees’ sick pay to employers would add to the cost of doing business. In this context, any such proposals would impact on competitiveness and employment. The evidence of this impact will need to be weighed against the potential for savings in terms of reduced absences due to sickness. I will carefully scrutinise any proposals which develop from the consultation process and their impact on jobs and competitiveness, and I will contribute fully to the Budgetary process within Government.
