Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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44. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on sick leave provisions; and when these will be implemented. [30516/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Sick Leave Act 2022 provided an initial statutory entitlement to up to 3 days’ sick leave in 2023. This increased to 5 days on 1 January 2024. The sick leave entitlement could potentially increase to 7 days in 2025, reaching 10 days in 2026.

Officials in my Department are engaging with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) on research to inform the decision in respect of the next phase in the roll-out of the scheme. The first stage of this work has been completed and certain informational and data gaps have been identified, including data required to identify workers and firms who are currently covered by a company sick pay policy.

The next stage of research will aim to bridge some of these data gaps. This work will involve both quantitative and qualitative analysis and may require a firm-level survey representative of the sectoral and size distribution of Irish companies.

Additionally, it must be acknowledged that this is a relatively new form of research. The Sick Leave Act itself has only been in operation since January 2023 and a comprehensive analysis of the sick pay landscape has not been undertaken to date in Ireland.

My officials are engaging on an ongoing basis with the ESRI to ensure that the required data can be collected and analysed in an efficient, timely manner. A Ministerial Order to give effect to any decision to vary the number of sick leave days is not required before 1 January 2025.