Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We had a discussion on the accessibility or otherwise of the proposals. The absence of access to free GP care was cited by Dr. Laura Bambrick of ICTU during the pre-legislative scrutiny phase.

She made the point that very few people who are working have access to GP cards or medical cards. This means that here is a significant cohort of workers involved. I again ask that the Minister of State do the maths, put himself in that position and consider whether he would be able to take the hit.

The purpose of this is to ensure that people have the comfort and security of not going to work when they are sick. For a person on low income, it is the two things together - the 70% plus the GP care. My amendment, although it was ruled out of order, would have delayed the need for the medical certificate until universal access to GP care is available to all workers. If people are on low income and they are hourly paid, the chances are they will be looking for all the overtime that is going in order to supplement that. It is only 70% of the basic, although I accept that is entirely the norm in other states as well. However, the countries that the Minister of State is comparing us with also have GP access. It is the combination of the two things together.

I do not believe it is intended to put unnecessary barriers in people's way. This is definitely welcome. The provision of statutory sick pay is important, but it is also important that it applies to all workers. As the Minister of State said, the specific intention is that low income workers would be encompassed by this but I think the barrier might be too much. I ask that this is looked at before Report Stage.