Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree that it has to work for all workers. It is particularly targeted at those in the lower-paid sectors where, according to research, there are no sick pay schemes. All that was borne in mind when we set the 70% rate and the €110 maximum. We did take all that on board. We tried to go as far as we thought was reasonable in order to protect jobs. We recognise that this will increase the cost base of employers as well. I know what the Deputy is saying. Some of the countries I mentioned have different health mechanisms but, equally, the very lowest-paid and part-time workers in this country are more likely to have medical and GP visit cards. It is necessary to go further to improve that, but it is outside the scope of this Bill. It is a public health matter for the Department of Health, but there are commitments from the Government. Others can make commitments to the same level if they wish and back it up with finance. We have made our commitments and will continue to deliver on it. It is important that we do that.

This legislation recognises that as of today there is no statutory sick pay scheme and those people are extremely vulnerable today because they get no income support for one, two and three days. This Bill will change all that. They will get support. I accept that it is set at 70% and capped at €110 a day but we think that is a major improvement and removes a lot of barriers that are there today and discourage people from staying at home when they are sick. It is a major improvement. People can come in here and argue both sides. They might argue that we are going too far or that we are not going not far enough. We believe that at 70% it is a major improvement and gives the majority of workers a reasonable level of financial compensation for the days that they are sick. Today, in the early days of sick leave - days one, two and three - workers gets no compensation whatever and they are not discouraged from going to work. That was very evident during Covid. It goes back to balance. I totally accept that the Deputy is genuinely making the case. I know that, but we have to get the balance right in order that we do not jeopardise jobs.