Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 4 May 2022

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage

Photo of Joe FlahertyJoe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is important legislation. We have been an outlier in this area for too long, so it is important that we get this right. A review process has been built into this and all other legislation. We will learn from this one's review process as the situation involves.

As Deputy Shanahan said, the overwhelming concern being raised by small businesses – most of them are micro businesses – relates to how they have faced significant headwinds for the past two and a half years. Many of them are operating with single digit profit margins at best. Some are barely breaking even. Banks have removed their overdrafts. They are struggling, and they view this scheme as an additional challenge and burden. At the same time, though, they want to meet and embrace it in the spirit of the Bill. As the Minister of State rightly said, no employer wants to have sick staff. We have to look after staff welfare. If staff are sick, we have to give them the space and time to facilitate their recovery.

There will be a review. There will also be a mechanism through which employers can go to the Labour Court if they are unable to pay. That will be an additional burden, though, and I cannot imagine any employer risking not only the cost of going to the Labour Court, but also public ire in its community if it takes that route.

I would appreciate it if the Minister of State gave a commitment that his officials would examine this matter before Report Stage.

It may not be a rebate from Revenue. I quite like the idea that was put forward of administering it through the LEOs, which are in tune with our local business network across the country. They do well on the e-voucher schemes and other matters. That might be the vehicle by which to do it. For the benefit of businesses that are concerned but ready and willing to embrace this new legislation, assurance needs to be given beyond a long-term review process. Something needs to be enshrined in the legislation. Hopefully, the Minister of State will look at that and come back to it on Report Stage.

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