Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs 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 hers Department; the length of the ten highest incidences of sick leave across these bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33105/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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All agencies under the aegis of my Department have detailed sick leave policies in place to manage time and attendance matters, including absenteeism due to sickness. The policies include procedures for staff and management to follow in recording and addressing sick leave levels. These arrangements recognise that staff may from time to time encounter challenges to their health and well-being and that management of sick leave must be done in a fair and consistent manner with the objective of addressing the cause of the sick leave and ensuring regular attendance.

Management information systems are in place to record, monitor and analyse patterns of sick leave. Failure to comply with the sick leave regulations is considered as serious misconduct and the disciplinary code may be invoked. Abuse of sick leave arrangements may lead to penalties including withholding salary increments, withdrawal of sick leave privileges and ultimately dismissal.

The specific information requested by the Deputy is set out below:

The ten highest incidences of sick leave across these bodies are:

I understand that the Office of the Ombudsman for Children has contacted the Deputy directly in relation to sick leave in that office.