Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the high rate of staff absenteeism in her Department; and the action she is taking to address the problem. [37777/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The main causes of absenteeism in the Department in 2007 relate to illnesses caused by respiratory related conditions, stress, back injury and pain, depression and surgery. In 2007, the average number of working days lost to sick leave per employee was 14.74. This figure includes those employees who were absent for periods of six months or more due to long term illnesses. 23% of total working days lost in the year were as a result of these long term illnesses. When the long-term illness days are excluded, the average number of working days lost to sick leave per employee was 11.35.

In 2005, the Department introduced a comprehensive Attendance Management Policy which provides for the active management of absenteeism by clearly setting out the relevant roles and responsibilities of all staff and managers in this area. As part of this policy, the Department works closely with the Chief Medical Officer in managing cases of sick leave. The Chief Medical Officer plays a crucial role in advising the Department on employees' fitness for work from a medical perspective. In addition, my Department operates a Health Promotion policy and an Employee Assistance Service which provides support to staff in the Department as required. The measures set out in the Attendance Management Policy are kept under review for the purposes of evaluating and, where necessary, increasing their effectiveness.