Tom Shehan (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader invite the Minister for Social Protection to the House to discuss the recent proposal to transfer sick payment benefit for the first four weeks of an illness from the State to the employer? This suggestion must be thought out more fully and redressed. Who, for example, will pay the sick payment benefit to the 9,000 staff out on sick leave in the HSE, which has the highest rate of absenteeism in the public service? I understand the figure involved would be an astronomical cost for the HSE. In the case of teachers out on sick leave, would the burden of paying their benefit be laid on boards of management? I would appreciate it if we could have the Minister in the House to discuss and thrash out this proposal.