Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I am proposing that No. 10 be taken and that the Bill be sent forward for publication.

A report in one of today's newspapers related to absenteeism in the public sector. We should have a debate on this issue in the House. Very little real progress has been made over the past two to three years. There are genuine reasons people are absent from work such as health or family bereavement. In the health sector, while one finds junior doctors working long hours and the absenteeism level is extremely low, the absenteeism level on the administrative side in the HSE has still not changed to any great degree.

It is time to engage in a debate on this matter, particularly as it involves the use of taxpayers' money. It is important that the debate to which I refer should be constructive. If there is a need to consider how work schedules operate or the structures within people's places of employment, we should do so. It might be appropriate to invite the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to come before the House in order that we might identify the changes which should be introduced in order that we might deal with this issue. Matters cannot be left as they stand.