Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to cut the amount of sick leave in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36222/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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As part of the Croke Park Agreement management and staff representatives have agreed to work together to deliver increased productivity and maximise efficiencies in the delivery of public services. It is estimated that the cost of sick leave across the public service is over €500m. The State is no longer in a financial position to be able to sustain the cost of the existing sick leave arrangements in the public service. It is the view of public service management that a reduction in the amount of paid sick leave across the public service will result in increased productivity, a reduction in the cost of sick leave and improved morale. Therefore management has made proposals to reduce the arrangements for paid sick leave across the public service.

The Labour Relations Commission facilitated discussions between the management side and the public service unions on proposals to change sick leave provisions across the public service. Agreement was not reached on all of the proposals and therefore the Labour Court is currently considering the matter. The final extent of the changes to the sick leave provisions will not be determined until this process has been completed.