What has that got to do with the original poster's query? The fact that your company (employer?) pays full or partial salary while somebody is on sick leave is irrelevant here.There is a girl in our office who has been off sick before and after her mat leave. She gets paid by us as she is not entitled to social welfare (pays a modified stamp) but if she was she would have got her pay less SW.
If you have enough prsi contributions paid surely you'd be entitled to illness benefit. Give them a ring.
What has that got to do with the original poster's query? The fact that your company (employer?) pays full or partial salary while somebody is on sick leave is irrelevant here.