Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 197: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff who took sick leave of more than five, ten, 15, 20 days and 21 days or over in 2011 in all agencies, offices or other bodies reporting to his Department; the length of the ten highest incidences of sick leave across these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33113/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The table below shows the breakdown of sick leave in the categories requested:

242 staff of my Department took no sick leave in 2011.

There were 230 available working days per staff member in 2011. The ten highest instances of sick leave were as follows:

In general, sick absences of up to 183 days (uncertified and certified combined) in any 12-month period, counting back from the date of the most recent absence, will be on full pay, subject to submission of valid medical certificates and social welfare forms (where applicable).

Once 184 days' sick absence has been reached in any 12-month period, pay is reduced to half of normal pay. If sick absence continues, paid sick leave will be exhausted once 365 days' sick leave have been taken in any 4-year period, counting back from the most recent absence. Staff who have more than five years' pensionable service may, when paid sick leave has been exhausted, qualify for "pension rate of pay", subject to the agreement of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Pension rate of pay is the rate of pay such a person would receive if they were, at that time, retiring from the Civil Service on grounds of ill-health.

With regard to the Agencies under the aegis of the Department, the management of sick leave is a day to day matter for the Agencies and I have asked each Agency to contact the Deputy directly in response.