Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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464. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality regarding the implementation of new public service sick leave arrangements in An Garda Síochána in 2014, the amount of money saved as a result of these measures; if the lost time rate was reduced as a result; if there has been a reduction in the average days lost per whole-time equivalent employee; the expected savings in terms of money and time in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28825/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The new Public Service Sick Leave Scheme was introduced from 31 March 2014. The Public Service Management (Sick Leave)Regulations 2014, made by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, set out the terms of the new Public Service Sick Scheme.

Under the terms of the new Public Service Sick Leave Scheme entitlement to paid sick leave is calculated over a rolling four year period. This did not previously apply to members of An Garda Síochána. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that since the introduction of the new scheme, the number of days lost due to sick leave has decreased significantly.

The tables overleaf set out for An Garda Síochána (1) the cost of sick leave and the savings, (2) lost time rates as a percentage and (3) the average days lost in 2013 and 2014.

I am further informed that An Garda Síochána are not in a position to predict expected savings in 2015 as it is not possible to forecast how many members or civilian staff will avail of the scheme in the future.

Table 1. Cost of sick leave and savings

Table 2. Lost Time Rates

Table 3. Average Days Lost