Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Defence his policy regarding staff who donate blood during normal working hours; if staff are required to clock out when giving blood; the measures that are in place to encourage staff to donate blood; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8511/10]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is fully supportive of the Irish Blood Transfusion Board (IBTB) and the important work that it does. There is an ongoing commitment by my Department to facilitate and organise groups of staff to donate blood at the IBTB clinics about twice a year. Health and Safety regulations require staff to clock out when away from their place of work. However, when clinics are scheduled during normal working hours, the time taken by staff when giving blood is subsequently credited to their clocks.

IBTB promotional material highlighting the importance of blood donation is regularly displayed in my Department and distributed to staff to encourage more people to donate blood.