Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister. We are all aware that significant benefits are going into many houses, particularly houses with large families, yet children in many of those homes are among the most deprived. Will the Department consider targeting some resources to help those families? Perhaps some of the suggestions made by Senator Feargal Quinn are worthy of consideration. It is appalling to realise that €700 or €800 per week goes into some houses yet the children are not cared for properly. In regard to the sick pay scheme I appeal to the Minister not to proceed along the lines she has suggested as it would be the death knell for small businesses in particular. While there is a major problem with absenteeism I suggest that a person on illness benefit does not receive any payment for the first three days from the Department of Social Protection. If the Minister were to consider three waiting days across the entire public and Civil Service, without any payment from the Department of Social Protection, what would be the saving to the State? A significant amount of money is involved. Some of the people in those positions are in secure employment and have been assured under the Croke Park agreement that they will not suffer any reduction in salaries. There is an opportunity to tweak the sick pay issue that might give the desired result.