Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1411: To ask the Minister for Defence the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not being paid while they are out of work; and if a sick leave payment will be granted. [1091/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I should explain that the sick pay arrangements for civilian employees of my Department apply to the person concerned. In general, civilian employees may be granted up to six months sick leave at full pay in any period of 12 months and half pay thereafter subject to a maximum of 12 months sick leave of any kind — full pay, half pay or without pay — in any period of four years or less. Civilian employees are also eligible for social welfare disability benefit while absent due to sickness.

In this particular case, the person concerned has exhausted his entitlement to sick pay under the terms of the departmental sick leave scheme as he has availed of over 365 days sick leave in the past four years. The Deputy will appreciate that the terms of the departmental sick leave scheme are of general application and that the terms of the scheme cannot be altered to suit individual circumstances. Accordingly, I regret to say that it will not be possible to authorise payment of sick pay to the person concerned.