Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

As the Taoiseach stated last week when the Deputy's leader asked this question, absenteeism is a greater problem in the public service, which generally accounts for a relatively small proportion of PRSI. We need to examine this issue. Most small businesses do not have a sick scheme and this would be a fresh burden were it applied to them.

On the other side of the discussion, the OECD shows that the rate of reliance on invalidity and sickness payments in Ireland is higher than it is in comparable countries. When demographics are taken into account, it is higher still. This presents an issue. A debate that would give representatives of small and larger businesses an opportunity to have their say would be important. We are out of line in this area. If a large number of people must receive long-term sickness payments, they lose the opportunity to use their potential, the State suffers a loss and there is a cost to the Exchequer. The debate is legitimate and we need policy proposals that balance a number of requirements.

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