Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the average number of sick days taken by his Departmental staff in each of the past three years (details supplied); the equivalent figures excluding long term illness cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41063/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The average sick absences in the Department, including the National Archives, over the last two years are as follows:

2006: 6.75 days;

2007: 9.88 days.

The calculations include a small number of long-term sick absences that serve to inflate the figures somewhat.

The data in respect of the previous three years is not readily available due to major restructuring of the Department in May 2005 which resulted in the establishment of the National Library and the National Museum as separate statutory organisations which retain the details of its staff members.

In revising the figures to take account of long-term sick leave, absences beyond four weeks have been counted as a long-term absence.

The average sick absences in the Department, including the National Archives, over the last two years, excluding long term illness cases, are as follows:

2006, 4.32 days; and

2007, 4.78 days.