Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the average level of absenteeism within his Department for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35794/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The average number of sick days annually per head of staff in my Department, based on the total amount of sick leave taken for the period 2003 to 2008 (to date), is as follows:

These figures are in respect of the staff at my Department, as well as staff seconded from my Department to the National Drugs Strategy Team, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, An Coimisinéir Teanga and the Office of the Commissioners for Charitable Donations and Bequests.

It may be noted that although the calculations are based on staff that are currently on my Department's payroll, sick leave incurred by staff while working in other Departments (due to the general movement of staff, particularly under the Decentralisation Programme) may also be included.