Fine Gael has scrapped plans to increase workers’ annual entitlement to paid sick leave and will retain it at five days, under its manifesto plans.
It marks a U-turn in the party’s policy pledges after its former leader Leo Varadkar previously said it will rise to 10 days sick leave in a year by 2026.
The Sick Leave Act 2022 introduced a statutory right to paid sick leave for the first time and was to be phased in from 2023 to 2026.
Employees are currently entitled to up to five days’ employer-paid sick leave in a year, paid at 70% of gross salary up to a cap of 110 euro per day.
Taoiseach Simon Harris at Fine Gael’s General Election Manifesto launch at Horse & Jockey Hotel, Co. Tipperary ahead of the General Election on November 29 (Brian Lawless/PA)
This was set to be increased to seven days next year and to 10 days in 2026.
However, in its manifesto, entitled Securing Your Future, Fine Gael said it will retain sick leave at five days per year.
It stated that any expansion will depend on “further research and must be affordable for businesses”.
Taoiseach Simon Harris, who launched the manifesto at the Horse & Jockey Hotel in Co Tipperary on Sunday, said the decision was “appropriate”.
“Our proposal is to leave sick leave at five days.
“That is a change in approach, it’s a change in approach that I’ve articulated, I think since I became party leader, it’s one that I think is appropriate,” Mr Harris added.
“My party in this government introduced statutory sick and I’m pleased that we did introduce that scheme.
“But we also have to make sure that we protect jobs and what we have said is we’ll carry out an analysis in terms of economic impact before it moves further.
Paschal Donohoe (left) and Taoiseach Simon Harris during Fine Gael’s General Election manifesto launch (Brian Lawless/PA)
“At the moment, the plan is to leave it at the five days.
“I would also say this, I’m very proud of the record that my party has in terms of supporting workers, because the most important way is for the workers getting the job.
“When my party came to government, there were 15% unemployment, and we now have full employment.
“We’ve lowered the tax burden on all people, and we’ve made sure that that’s done in a progressive manner. We’ve increased the minimum wage.
“We’re continuing to do other things that I think help people, whether it’s child benefit, whether it’s the child care changes.
“There does need to be a balanced approach.
“If you stand in any cafe or hotel or restaurant or shop across the country, the wave of measures that have come at them quickly in one go has had a real impact.
“I’m proud that we’ve introduced sick leave but I also want to be honest in relation to what I believe is possible to do in terms of the number of days in the time ahead.”
The 115-page document also promises to give 1,000 euro to every baby born in Ireland, which would be lodged into a savings account.
Taoiseach Simon Harris at Fine Gael’s General Election manifesto launch ahead of the General Election on November 29 (Brian Lawless/PA)
The child savings scheme, called the Acorn Savings Account, will see a savings account set up for every child in the country starting with a first payment of 1,000 euro.
Every child from a family receiving child support payments will receive 1,500 euro.
The savings account can be topped up until the child turns 18 by a maximum of 2,000 euro per year.
Mr Harris acknowledged that children of parents who could afford to top up the savings account could, by the age of 18, have accrued a total 53,000 euro, whereas those who could not afford top ups, will have just 3,000 euro saved.
“I take the point to make about Acorn, and I’ve tossed this around in my own head, but the genuine view I have on it is this, those who can afford to save, may already be saving,” he added.
“What we’re actually trying to do here, though, is set up a state structure that will probably try and foster a culture of savings and preparing for the future right across our society.
“We’ve made a positive policy decision to put more into the fund, at 50% more for children, most at risk.
“We have not said there’s a minimum amount you can put in, so people can put in any amount, including a small amount, on birthdays, special occasions, relatives.
“There’s an ability to top it up in a way that works for you.”
He added: “We’re talking about setting aside money for our future, this is money that will be set aside for the future spending in the Irish economy as well.
“I think it’s a sensible idea. That’s why I’m proposing it and it’s recognising and creating that financial literacy at the youngest age.
“(Future) Governments can consider as they as they go through, if they wish to top it up further.
“There’s no prohibition at all on a government of the day deciding the country is doing well and we wish to put a little bit more into people’s accounts.”
Meanwhile, Mr Harris also said his party will continue to canvass for John McGahon, despite photos showing injuries a man suffered following an altercation with the Louth candidate.
Mr McGahon was found not guilty of assault in a criminal case two years ago, but a High Court civil action found him liable earlier this year.
The man was awarded a sum of damages against Mr McGahon.
Photos have been published in a Sunday newspaper showing the extent of facial injuries suffered by the man.
Mr Harris said his party will continue to back Mr McGahon.
“These matters were all examined in a court of law. A jury sat in Louth. A jury looked at the CCTV, a jury looked at images. A defence was put forward, a defence of self-defence was put forward, and a jury found him not guilty,” Mr Harris added.