Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 14:

In page 7, line 8, after “day” to insert “equivalent to their full daily rate of pay”.

We have discussed some of this already and but I would like to understand why the Government wants to set the rate of sick pay at 70%. Again, this really impacts on lower paid workers in particular. It just seems low. If we want to talk about balance, 70% does not strike me as the right balance. If someone is sick and they are unable to go to work, they should not be penalised for that. I have given the Minister of State a concrete example of €84.50 a day but we can bring it up to €90 or €100, and 70% is not going to compensate fully for that person’s sickness. We should not always start from the perspective of “Well, they may not really be sick.” We should start from the perspective that the person is sick, they are missing from work and they should not be penalised for that because it is not their fault. We have heard a lot about balance and I agree with the Minister of State that we need to get the balance right, but the balance should not be 70%. People should get a full day’s pay if they are sick. To me, that is the fairest solution and the correct balance, particularly when we are starting off with a very small number of days, just three days to begin with.

The reality at present is that workers will make a choice to go to work sick. This Bill should be and can be more effective. I do not see the rationale for the 70% figure or where it comes from. I will listen to the Minister of State's response.