Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On sick pay, we are very committed as a Government to improve the rights of employees. We are in the month of April. Section 6 of the Act clearly sets out that the decision has to be made in quarter 4 and a ministerial direction has to be given on 1 January next year.

I make all my policy decisions based on evidence. Through the year, I will look at how the economy is progressing and how the reforms that have been made continue to be progressed.

I am proud to be part of a Government that introduced parental leave and sick pay, increased the minimum wage by 46% since 2015, put forward on Second Stage last night a Bill on pension auto-enrolment to protect the future of workers and protect the most low paid in our economy. We are on a strong trajectory now. We brought in sick pay for up to five days. We will consult with all groups. That is what my Department is about. We protect employees, businesses and consumers. We have to work to ensure that all in the economy keep going on a sustainable footing. I will do that, but no one is going to force me into decision in the month of April when, through section 6 of the Act, I have to make it in quarter 4. I will monitor the economy and my determinations will be based on evidence.

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