Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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67. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects the changes to sick pay arrangements for the public service to take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4682/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The new sick leave scheme for the public service is being introduced by Regulations made under the recently enacted Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Act 2013. This legislation provides, me as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, with the basis to regulate for sick leave across the public service.

During the passage of the Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas in December 2013 I tabled an amendment to the legislation that requires the Ministerial Regulations to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas with the scope for either House to annul the Regulations within 21 sitting days.

The Regulations are currently at an advanced stage of drafting. The new sick leave scheme for the public service will be introduced once the Regulations are made and legally come into force.  

The development of the Regulations is a matter of priority for my Department and matters are being progressed in order to ensure that the sick leave scheme can be introduced as quickly as possible.