Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand the general purpose of the amendment and the case put forward by the Senator in the context of his son. Amendments Nos. 6 and 7 aim to alleviate the financial strain on lower-paid employees who do not benefit from having a medical card or a GP visit card. However, while I understand the intent of the amendments, it is important that there are safeguards for employers. With respect, the Senator referred to having a "full perspective". I repeat that is the job I have to do, as a Minister of State, as it is the job of the Tánaiste and the Department bringing forward the Bill. We have to have a full perspective. We are bringing in a new right and statutory entitlement. All present are supportive of that and it is needed. We must also recognise, however, that it must be a system that can work for everybody. Certification is part of that because we have to make sure that everybody can have trust in the system. Medical certification is part of that. It is important that there are safeguards for employers and everybody else. In my view and that of the Department, it is a reasonable requirement that an employee should provide a medical certificate. It is a feature of this benefit that an employee must provide evidence of his or her illness.

In general, people go to a doctor for more than one reason. They do not just go for a medical certificate; they go because they are sick. The Senator should bear that in mind. I accept that there is a cost to visiting a GP and, in some cases, there is an issue with access to GPs. That has been dealt with in different ways. The House and the Government are committed to reducing GP fees and having universal access to healthcare. We are on a journey to that but it is separate from this legislation. The Bill relates to employment law. The cost of GPs and access to GPs is a matter we are dealing with in different ways through the programme for Government. We are committed to that and will do it, but it is separate from employment law. I hope the Senator accepts that.

We believe it is important to have a certification process in respect of this aspect of the Bill. I accept that the Senator is seeking a report and things like that. We will keep this under review. That is what we always do with legislation. We are bringing in this legislation that will benefit everybody who does not already benefit from a sick pay scheme in their workplace. Anyone in employment, whether low paid or high paid, will be entitled to a statutory sick pay scheme going forward. That is a massive addition to our offering and will assist to ensure people are looked after and do not feel they have to go to work when they are sick. It will also make Ireland a more attractive place to grow talent and encourage people to live and work here. I do not agree with the Deputy's repeated remarks in respect of a low-pay economy. Ireland has the second highest minimum wage at European level. I accept that when that is adjusted for the cost of living we are down to fourth or fifth.