Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will set out the figures, in respect of the most recently available full year, for the number of days leave of absence taken by teachers at primary and at post-primary level, and to break down this leave as illness leave, maternity leave, or other leave. [10744/12]

Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average number of days certified illness leave taken annually by teachers at primary and post-primary level, based on the most up to date information available; the number of teachers in each sector who at the end of the relevant year had accumulated in excess of two months, four months, six months, ten months and twelve months illness leave respectively. [10745/12]

Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he notifies teachers at specific intervals of the expiry of significant periods of illness leave; and the number of teachers to whom such notifications were sent at primary and post primary levels, for the most recent year where figures are available. [10814/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 186, 187 and 189 together.

A teacher who is absent from duty because of personal illness, may retain eligibility for incremental salary in respect of a maximum of 365 days of absence in any period of four consecutive years of teaching service. The sick leave period is calculated retrospectively and includes weekends, school closures and days on which a teacher is not timetabled for attendance, occurring within the period of absence.

Letters issue as necessary to the teachers and school principals concerned highlighting the number of absences accumulated and, where appropriate, bringing to their attention the provisions of Circular 60/2010 regarding the Sick Leave Scheme including referral to the Occupational Health Service and the potential expiration of entitlement to incremental salary. During the year 2011, 669 primary teachers and 415 post primary teachers were issued letters.

The details of the absences of teachers employed in primary, secondary and community/comprehensive schools are recorded by the managerial authorities of the schools and submitted to the payroll databases in my Department

The number of days absences recorded for the 2010/11 school year for all primary teachers in relation to sick leave and maternity leave were as follows

Certified illness 231,446

Uncertified illness 24,578

Maternity Leave 341,088

Maternity leave in lieu 79,782

The number of days of absences recorded for Secondary and Community/Comprehensive Teachers were:

Certified illness 132,566

Uncertified illness 16,984

Maternity Leave 150,327

Maternity leave in lieu 35,232

I will arrange for details of any of the other information which is available to be forwarded direct to the Deputy.