The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment launched a public consultation on 16th November 2020 seeking views in relation to a new statutory sick pay scheme which the Minister hopes to introduce by the end of 2021. This would introduce a legal requirement on employers to pay sick pay to an employee who is unable to work because of illness. Currently there is no legal obligation on an employer to pay sick pay to employees. The introduction of a statutory sick pay scheme will bring Ireland into line with the majority of other EU countries.

The scheme will be designed to protect employees but must be fair and affordable for employers. The public consultationwill run until 18th December 2020.