Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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129. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the planned statutory sick pay scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59992/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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This Government is committed to introducing a statutory sick pay scheme and work is well underway in this regard.

Any move to introduce a statutory sick pay scheme must be balanced with the need to support the viability of the business and enterprise sector, thereby protecting jobs. My Department undertook a full public consultation, reviewed international best practice, and formed an interdepartmental group – to ensure that all views and issues were properly considered in the development of the scheme.

The draft Heads of Bill have been published and are available on my Department’s website.

In the first instance, the legislation will provide for a replacement rate of 70% of gross salary for a duration of 3 working days in a calendar year. Coupled with the 70% rate of pay, the application of a daily earnings cut-off point of €110 will ensure that employers do not face excessive costs and that jobs are not jeopardised.

However, for those employers who are genuinely unable to cover the costs, we have, under Section 10 of the draft Bill, included a provision whereby an employer may seek an exemption from the Labour Court from the requirement to pay statutory sick leave for a period not less than three months and not more than twelve months.

Pre-legislative scrutiny commenced on 10th November. Once this process is complete, I will seek Government approval to present the Bill to the Houses.