All employees are to get the right to a minimum of two weeks’ sick pay under a new Government scheme expected to be introduced in the summer.

But official sources have stressed that this is a floor, which should not lead to the worsening of existing sick pay schemes with stronger provisions.

Ireland is currently one of the only three European Union states with no Government-mandated sick pay scheme in place. Employment minister Leo Varadkar outlined the plans to trade unions and employer groups last week. He said he intended to publish a bill in March for enactment by the summer. This would see the sick leave entitlement introduced by the end of this year or early 2022.

The initial requirement will be for two weeks’ sick pay a year. This would be paid by employers, but there will be a cap on the payment. Workers would have to present a medical certificate, and be sick for at least three days. But the payment would fall due on the first day of illness.

Employees will also have to be with their employers for a minimum of six months to qualify for the scheme. And employers would retain the option to offer better provisions.

It is expected that the scheme will roll out on a staggered basis to allow smaller business to prepare. And it is expected that firms will also receive assistance with the cost through the social insurance fund, as they normally would for maternity and paternity benefit.

The covid-19 illness benefit introduced last March set the precedent for an umbrella sick pay benefit to cover all illnesses, and start the discussion for a long overdue sustainable scheme to cover sick pay for employees across the country.