Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the total cost of absenteeism to the Health Service Executive; the way the health service absenteeism compares to private sector absenteeism; the estimated rates for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41944/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I am advised that overall absenteeism levels in the public health service have reduced from 5.76% in 2008 to 5.03% in 2009 and to 4.76% for the year to August.

The HSE has set absenteeism as a key results area (KRA) and effective attendance management is central to cost containment planning and people management throughout the sector. The HSE actively manages absenteeism on a local basis and has comprehensively monitored this indicator on a national basis since 2008. It is clear that these steps are delivering positive results. The HSE has set a national target of a 3.5% rate as the benchmark for all hospitals/agencies and functions across the health sector and staff categories. Latest data shows that many hospitals, local health offices and voluntary agencies are currently achieving this target or making progress towards it. High level data by year, by staff category and trends therein since 2008 are as follows:

Absenteeism through illness is a normal incidence of working life and an analysis of this data indicates that a substantial majority (in the order of 85%) is certified by medical practitioners. There is a comprehensive set of management tools and robust engagement on absenteeism with staff, with the objective of ensuring the necessary supports and interventions are available to reduce the impact of non-attendance to the delivery of services and to assist staff return to work in a timely and effective manner in both the interests of staff and services.

While it is not possible to accurately estimate the total cost of absenteeism to an organisation, the HSE estimates that the payroll costs of absenteeism is approaching €300 million, or almost €60 million for each 1% of absenteeism.

Neither my Department nor the HSE collates data in relation to absenteeism in the private sector.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the total spend on overtime in 2009; the estimated spend on overtime in 2010; if she plans to make savings in this area in 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41945/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Overtime expenditure for the public health service in 2009 was approximately €310 million. Overtime expenditure in September 2010 (latest data) is approximately €23 million and cumulative year to date is approximately €211 million compared to €234 million to September 2009. If overtime to end year was maintained at September levels, total expenditure for 2010 would be approximately €279 million. The level of funding available for the health budget is being considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2011 which is currently underway. Deliberations by the Government on the expenditure allocations for next year are likely to continue up until Budget time and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of those deliberations. However, the very difficult financial position facing the Exchequer will obviously require very careful management across all areas of expenditure and I believe there will have to be a particular focus on areas of non-core pay spending such as overtime.

In relation to my Department, due to careful management of overtime budgets during 2009 and 2010, a saving of approximately €200,000 will be made over the original allocations. The table sets out this information.

Under the Public Service Agreement my Department has committed to examining existing shift patterns and overtime costs during 2011 with a view to providing future services at the best possible value to the taxpayer.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the spend on agency staff in hospitals for each of the following years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and the estimated total spend during 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41975/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded as soon as it is available.