Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her policy on employers paying sick pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13159/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The issue of reforming the current arrangements associated with sick pay is being considered in the context of the need to reform the social welfare system to bring it into line with practices in other countries in this area; the need to address the deficit in the social insurance fund; the need to control welfare spending in line with the commitments this country has entered into with the EU/IMF/ECB troika; and in the wider context of enhancing the health of the workforce and addressing levels of absenteeism in the public and private sectors. Before any decisions can be taken on the possible introduction of a scheme of statutory sick pay, a range of issues need to be examined in detail – including the extent of coverage; the duration of payment; the rate of payment; compensation mechanisms for employers where appropriate; and how to ensure that a scheme of statutory sick pay would be enforced and policed.