James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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125. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45926/22]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has been an outlier to date among wealthy OECD countries in not providing for any statutory sick leave. It is not right that people feel forced to go to work when they are sick, and it is not good for public health. 

Following detailed consideration of the issues surrounding the implementation of the statutory sick leave scheme, The Sick Leave Act will commence on 1st January 2023.   

The Act is intended to provide a level of protection to employees who do not currently have employer-paid sick pay schemes, many of whom are low-paid and cannot afford to miss work. As a starting point, this scheme will cover the three waiting days before eligibility for Illness Benefit from the State. This is a progressive Act and will ensure, once commenced, that all employees are better off and will have financial protection from day one of a medically certified absence. 

Separately, the Deputy would be aware that If anyone is currently experiencing financial hardship that they can engage with the Community Welfare Service in the Department of Social Protection to seek any available  assistance.