Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the average number of sick days taken by her Departmental staff in each of the past three years (details supplied); the equivalent figures excluding long term illness cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41074/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The average level of sick leave in my department for the past 3 years is set out in the following table.

The Department introduced a comprehensive Attendance Management Policy in 2005 which provides for the active management of absenteeism by, among other measures, highlighting the importance to the Department and its services of having the best possible rate of attendance by its employees and clearly setting out the duties and responsibilities of all staff and managers in this area.

The objective of the Attendance Management Policy is to maximise attendance and minimise absenteeism to the greatest extent possible. In this regard measures set out in the Policy reflect best practice across all sectors both nationally and internationally and these are kept under review for the purposes of evaluating and, where necessary, increasing their effectiveness.

The measures include return to work interviews, a comprehensive Health Promotion Policy and supports for staff who are returning to work after a long term illness.

My Department also works closely with the Chief Medical Officer who plays a crucial role in advising the department on employee's fitness for work from a medical perspective.