Pat Casey (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have no problem with the Bill in regard to the sick pay aspect. However, when we are drafting legislation, we should honestly and clearly identify that there is a significant difference in sick pay for a large company when compared with a small company, or for a small SME when compared with a large SME. Tied into all of that equation, when calculating this we have to take into account industries that have high labour costs as a percentage of turnover, because it is a double-whammy for them, as opposed to industries that have a very low percentage of labour costs to turnover. This has a significant impact on the viability of these industries, whether in terms of the type of the industry or the size of the industry.

My two colleagues have spoken on this and I know we are not in a position to move this specific amendment. However, under the legislation, there is a report to be generated within the next 18 months. During that period, I ask the Minister of State to commit to looking at this more closely in regard to the small SME sector to see how we can help it get through this and give its employees the very same opportunity as large-scale employers. That is all I am asking. Given that a report has to be drafted under the legislation, I am asking that, as part of that report, we focus in on the impact this is having on the small SME sector and how it might affect its viability into the future.