Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to give recognition to the three students from Kinsale, Ciara Judge, Emer Hickey and Sophie Healy-Thow, who won the BT Young Scientist competition in Ireland and went on to win the European Young Scientist Finals. It is important to give recognition to the students and to teachers for their commitment in preparing for the young scientist competition in Ireland and at European level. It is interesting that Kinsale community college has won the young scientist award three times in the past seven years. There is a major input by teachers and the school in preparing students for the competition. It is important to give recognition to students and also to teachers and schools throughout the country who help students in preparing for that important competition and for preparing people for their future careers. It is a great to have it on a CV.

I refer to the report on absenteeism in the Civil Service. There has been a 13.5% increase in absenteeism or sick leave and we should have a debate on it. This is not a criticism of people who are on sick leave. The debate should be about whether the structures in some of our Departments and workplaces are not adequately dealing with the issues that arise. The total cost of sick leave, according to the report, is in excess of €449 million. This is a huge sum of money and we need to review constantly how people's workplaces and their work is organised. It is not just a matter of looking at the time people are away from work.