Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Labour for bringing this Bill forward. As usual, the Government is opposing anything constructive that comes from the Opposition.

Paid leave for health screening purposes should be a must for workers. I recognise the employers that already pay their workers for time off for screenings and cancer-related appointments. This is done through their good will. The Government must recognise the significance of this legislation in protecting workers’ rights and ensuring they have access to essential healthcare and screening without being punished financially for taking time off work. Sinn Féin firmly believes no worker should have to choose between their health and their income. This Bill, which proposes as statutory entitlement to paid health screening leave, is a step in the right direction. It allows employees to attend cervical, breast and colon cancer screenings without the fear of losing pay or facing repercussions at work. This is especially important as we know early detection can save lives, particularly with the cancers targeted by this Bill. We support the introduction of fully-paid health screening leave but we must also acknowledge the cap of three days per year may not be sufficient. Many screening appointments require travel and preparation and if multiple screenings are needed workers could easily exceed this limit. Many screening appointments require travel and preparation and if multiple screenings are needed workers could easily exceed this limit.

We must ensure health screening leave reflects the reality of people’s lives and the complexities of healthcare needs. While this Bill focuses on specific cancer screening types it is vital that, if possible, we broaden the scope of this leave to include other important preventative healthcare appointments. Workers should not only have access to screenings but also to follow-up care. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis and economic volatility make it more urgent than ever to strengthen worker protections. This Bill helps eliminate the grey area whereby workers might previously have felt compelled to use their annual or sick leave for health screenings. For this Bill to have the intended impact, the Government needs to address capacity constraints and reduce waiting lists for HSE screening programmes to allow for timely screening appointments. Every worker deserves access to healthcare when they need it. This Bill is a significant step forward but is just one piece of a larger puzzle. We will continue to advocate for comprehensive healthcare solutions and robust worker protections. Together, let us ensure every worker can prioritise their health without fear of financial repercussions.

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