'Door firmly closed' on increased sick days for workers, despite previous commitment 

Enterprise minister Peter Burke said the Government had also changed the trajectory to a living wage from 2026 to 2029

Peter Burke told the 'Irish Examiner' that any increase in paid sick leave from a statutory minimum of five days was off the table. File picture: Julien Behal

The door has been "firmly closed" on increased worker sick days, the enterprise minister has said. 

The previous government’s policy, under legislation introduced in 2022, was to expand paid sick leave to 10 days, with seven days promised in 2025, but this commitment was rolled back by the current government over concerns of cost to businesses.