Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I welcome that there has been some movement on this issue. That is evident from the Minister's initial reply and her comment to the effect that proposals in this regard will be categorised. In other words, the scheme will be based on an ability to pay and the needs of different categories of businesses to which it apply will have to be taken into consideration. She also indicated there would be a saving of €89 million if employers paid the first four weeks of sick pay.

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