Burton wants employers to shoulder sick pay burden

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has revealed that more than €4bn of taxpayers' money has been spent on sick-leave pay over the past five years.

The payout last year alone is estimated to be €942m, up from €626m in 2006.

The Government now wants to make employers pay the first four weeks of sick leave.

Minister Burton today told the Dáil that she believes that is not a lot to ask.

"North of the border and in the UK the period is 28 weeks," she said.

"We are proposing that employers in this country would take responsibility for four weeks.

"In relation to how business is doing in other jurisdictions, all of our competitors have moved broadly in line with the recommendations of the OECD."