Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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31. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to support a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4568/16]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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While I cannot comment on individual cases or circumstances the following sets out the position in relation to the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme and the Critical Illness Protocol. 

The Public Service Sick Leave Scheme came into effect on 31 March 2014.  The rationale for the Scheme is to provide support to public servants who become ill while at the same time reduce the unsustainable cost of sick leave in the public service, increase productivity and reduce absenteeism. 

Although the new scheme did reduce access to sick pay overall it retained the previous access to sick pay for those public servants who suffer from a critical illness or injury.  Where an individual is given access to the critical illness provisions the Scheme provides for:

- up to 365 days' paid sick leave in a four year period (comprising 183 days or 6 months on full pay in a rolling one year period, followed by 182 days a further 6 months on half pay).  This is the same as the access that existed under the previous sick leave schemes in place across much of the public service.

- under a protective year provision, an individual who has taken sick leave because of a critical illness will continue to have access to the extended sick pay limits for 12 months following the first day of the critical illness. 

- an extended period of temporary rehabilitation remuneration (TRR) of up to 730 days (2 years). This  may be paid where it is a direct continuation of an illness under the Critical Illness Protocol andfurther period of sick leave is required to rehabilitate from the critical illness/injury;

- an occupational health physician certifies that there is a reasonable prospect of the individual returning to work and giving regular and effective service; and

- the decision to award the additional period of temporary rehabilitation remuneration is reviewed every 6 months.  

While I have outlined the general provisions of the  Sick Leave Scheme that relate to critical illnesses it is the individual's circumstances, including their sick leave record and the nature of the illness, that are relevant in determining their access to paid sick leave.