Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Tánaiste to the Chamber and the introduction of this important legislation. The Sick Leave Bill 2022 will provide a statutory sick leave pay scheme for all employees, which will be phased in over four years. As the Tánaiste pointed out, we are one of the few countries in Europe without a mandatory sick leave entitlement. Therefore, this is a welcome catching up, if you like, to bring us into line with our European partners. As was said, under the current arrangements, sick leave is provided for about half of all employees through the terms and conditions of their employment. The scheme will start with three days being provided annually. The provision will then rise to five days and subsequently to ten days of sick leave in 2026. Sick leave will be paid by employers at a rate of 70% of employees' wages, subject to a daily maximum threshold of €110. The legislation is intended to provide the minimum level of protection to low-paid employees. It does not, of course, prevent employers from offering better terms or trade unions from negotiating for greater provision through collective agreements. Employees must obtain a medical certificate to avail of statutory sick leave, which I am sure will allay some of the concerns people may have regarding abuse in the system. A cost is associated with a sick cert, so I do not think this system will be open to a great level of abuse.

There are no employees without employers and, likewise, there are no employers without employees. I know the Tánaiste has engaged with the unions and business groups. IBEC has been in contact and has raised a number of concerns from the employers' point of view. These include the cost burden, a matter that others have mentioned. This is particularly with regard to companies with no sick pay scheme. IBEC also spoke about excessive costs being placed on employers. It noted that the daily rate is out of line with what is available in Northern Ireland and the UK on a weekly basis. It is £95 or £96 per week. IBEC also referred to the exclusion provided for in section 9. I ask the Tánaiste to comment on the engagement he has had regarding IBEC's concerns about a lack of clarity and the fact that the provision it is somewhat imprecise.