Group says sick pay changes will force preschools to close

Most preschools and crèches would close down, lay off staff, or increase charges to parents if the Government goes ahead with changes to sick pay arrangements.

A group representing more than 3,000 service providers for 80,000 children said requirements to maintain staffing levels force them to replace any sick staff, meaning the planned changes would not be affordable to them as employers.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton is believed to be preparing plans for next year’s budget that would see employers rather than her department pick up the tab for the first four weeks of sick pay in a move that could save the exchequer about €89m a year.