Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

510. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a timeline for the raising of paid sick leave to seven days, and ultimately ten days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10781/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Sick Leave Act 2022 introduced employer-paid, medically certified, statutory sick leave for the first time in Ireland. Commencing on 1 January 2023, the initial statutory entitlement was up to 3 days’ sick leave, which increased to 5 days on 1 January 2024.

In line with the requirements of Section 6 of the Sick Leave Act 2022 and to inform my decision in respect of the next phase in the rollout of the statutory sick leave scheme, research was conducted on the impact of sick leave to date. This research included a comprehensive, firm-level survey representative of the sectoral and size distribution of Irish businesses. The results of the survey were received and analysed by officials from the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES).

A qualitative element, consisting of one-to-one interviews was also included as part of the study to directly capture the views of businesses and employee representative groups. A stakeholder workshop was also held with employer representative groups, who communicated their members’ experiences and perceptions of statutory sick leave.

It is my intention to publish the research paper in due course, following appropriate consideration of its content and key findings. The research paper will also inform my decision on any further increases to the current entitlements under statutory sick leave. It is important to bear in mind that this is a relatively new form of research, as 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.

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

511. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his officials have engaged with the Department of Health on the public health benefits of an increase to paid sick leave for employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10782/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The public health benefits of paid sick leave are well established and are a key part of the policy underpinning the introduction of the Sick Leave Act 2022. This provided for three days of statutory sick leave in Ireland for the first time in 2023, rising to five days of paid statutory sick leave last year.

There were a wide range of consultations with stakeholders and the public during the preparation of the legislation and the public health benefits of the measure are acknowledged in research conducted by my Department and the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES). As has been consistently stated, paid sick leave can protect fellow employees and members of the public generally, including by reducing the risk of workplace accidents and the likelihood of infectious disease transmission in the workplace.

However, it is also important to recognise that the introduction of any new form of employer paid leave does create a burden on business. In 2024, in line with the requirements of Section 6 of the Sick Leave Act 2022, and to inform the decision in respect of the next phase in the rollout of the statutory sick leave scheme, further research was conducted by IGEES and my Department on the impact of sick leave to date.

This research included a comprehensive, firm-level survey, representative of the sectoral and size distribution of Irish businesses. While the Department of Health was not directly consulted as part of this work, a qualitative element, consisting of one-to-one interviews was added to the study to directly capture the views of businesses and employee representative groups. A stakeholder workshop was also held with employer representative groups, who communicated their members’ experiences and perceptions of statutory sick leave.

I will be taking this research into account as part of my consideration of any further increases to statutory sick leave.

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

512. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to report on the public health benefits of an increase to paid sick leave for employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10783/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The public health benefits of paid sick leave are well established and are a key part of the policy underpinning the introduction of the Sick Leave Act 2022. This provided for three days of statutory sick leave in Ireland for the first time in 2023, rising to five days of paid statutory sick leave last year.

These public health benefits are acknowledged in research conducted by my Department and the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES). As has been consistently stated, paid sick leave is a public health measure that protects fellow employees and members of the public generally, including by reducing the risk of workplace accidents and the likelihood of infectious disease transmission in the workplace.

However it is also important to recognise that the introduction of any new form of employer paid leave does create a burden on business. In 2024, in line with the requirements of Section 6 of the Sick Leave Act 2022, and to inform the decision in respect of the next phase in the rollout of the statutory sick leave scheme, further research was conducted by IGEES and my Department on the impact of sick leave to date.

This research included a comprehensive, firm-level survey, representative of the sectoral and size distribution of Irish businesses. A qualitative element, consisting of one-to-one interviews was added to the study to directly capture the views of businesses and employee representative groups. A stakeholder workshop was also held with employer representative groups, who communicated their members’ experiences and perceptions of statutory sick leave.

I will be taking this research into account as part of my consideration of any further increases to statutory sick leave.