Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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85. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the date on which he will introduce a statutory sick leave scheme. [47524/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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86. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied) in relation to statutory sick pay; and if he will engage with the author of same. [47525/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Prior to enactment of the Sick Pay Act 2022, my Department undertook a full public consultation, reviewed international best practice, and formed an interdepartmental group to ensure that all views from stakeholders were properly considered in the development of the statutory sick pay scheme. The Bill also went through pre-legislative scrutiny which was carried out by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade & Employment. Following the Committee's recommendations I brought forward some amendments to the Bill.

The Sick Pay 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.

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.  Regulations to give effect to the commencement date and rate of statutory sick pay are currently being drafted.

I acknowledge the important role payroll software developers have in this context and officials from my Department will engage further with their representatives on this issue in the near future.