Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank both witnesses for the information. I want to quote a couple of workers to put this whole issue into context. Denise, who works in a midland's nursing home said:

... not having sick pay is brutal and unfair when you are out sick and unable to attend work. Having had cancer myself, I understand the need for workplace sick pay. You just cannot afford to be out sick and there is no way you can survive on €203 a week.

Martina, who is a healthcare assistant in Kildare said:

I have had to take time off from work because I was sick. As I work in the care of the elderly unit, if I am sick I cannot go to work and I am not allowed to, as I would be putting the residents at risk. But I cannot afford to be off work sick, as I will not receive illness benefit for six days, and when I do qualify I will only receive €203 a week.

I could go on as I have a number of quotes. I will ask Ms King my first question, and I thank her for her presentation. Just how widespread an issue is this in the workplace, particularly the private sector workplace?