Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

As part of the Pathways to Work initiative, the employment service of FÁS will be housed in the Department of Social Protection. This is a positive step, as a new relationship will be built with employers. However, I caution the Minister. If she is planning to make employers pay for sick leave, she will endanger that relationship. She is on to a good thing, but let us proceed carefully in respect of the issue of sick pay. The Leader was asked for a debate on this matter yesterday.