Burton to press on with sick-pay reform

The Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton has said she will press on with plans to change the sick pay system, despite concerns voiced in the Cabinet.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said this week that the Government would have to think very seriously about any changes, as they could be damaging to business.

Minister Burton wants to share the cost of illness benefit between businesses and the State.

This morning she said she "absolutey" would press on with her plan.

"Under the troika we are required to look at every heading of social-welfare spending and see can (build what the troika call) an active social welfare system rather than a passive social welfare system…and make Ireland more work-friendly," she said.