Public consultation on the introduction of a Statutory Sick Pay scheme

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is conducting a public consultation on the introduction of a statutory right to paid sick leave for all employees.

Background

This follows a commitment by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, to bring Ireland in line with other OECD countries by providing for a statutory entitlement to sick pay.

Statutory sick pay is the money that an employer must by law pay to an employee who is unable to work because of illness. There is currently no legal obligation on employers to pay workers during periods of illness. Statutory sick pay introduces such an obligation on employers to pay an employee who is unable to work because of illness. However, many employers do, in fact, provide sick pay during illness without any statutory obligation to do so. Where sick pay is not provided by an employer, the State pays Illness Benefit in certain circumstances.

The Government is committed to designing a scheme that is fair and affordable for employers while also offering protection to workers, particularly low paid and vulnerable workers.

Employers and employees alike are encouraged to engage with this consultation and make their views on statutory sick pay known.

How to make a submission

Please provide us with your views by answering the consultation questionnaire below.

Please return completed questionnaires by email to statutorysickpayconsultation@enterprise.gov.ie.

The closing date for submissions is Friday, 18 December 2020.

Links

This document summarises the submissions received from the public consultation on Statutory Sick Pay.

Published by Workplace Regulation and Economic Migration

Topics: Workplace and Skills