New sick pay scheme costs ‘€1 per employee a week’

The Department of Social Protection estimates that the new statutory sick pay arrangements being considered by the Government will cost employers less than €1 per employee per week.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton gave the estimate in an answer to a parliamentary question.

She said the figure was “based on estimates of absenteeism in the private sector” and would apply if a sick pay scheme with a duration of four weeks were to be introduced.