Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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48. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with current leave regulations that require teachers who take bereavement or sick leave days before or after the weekend to submit a certificate of leave for these weekend days although they are not scheduled to work on these days (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30056/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Following a review of sick leave arrangements, a new Public Service wide sick leave scheme was introduced across the Public Service in 2014. The Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Act 2013, provided the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform with the power to make regulations that set out the specific details of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme. These regulations are contained in SI 124 of 2014.

Chapter 1 – Sick Leave Scheme, Employment Terms and Conditions for Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools – Edition 1 issued by my Department sets out the detailed conditions for granting of sick leave, to Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools and provides for the following:

- A maximum of 3 months (92 days) on full pay in a year;

- Followed by a maximum of 3 months (91 days) on half pay;

- Subject to a maximum of 6 months (183 days) paid sick leave in a rolling four year period.

A teacher who becomes incapacitated as a result of a critical illness or serious physical injury may be granted extended paid sick leave. Paragraph 1.2 of the Sick Leave Scheme states "A period of illness is defined as any period in which a teacher is medically unfit to carry out his/her full duties irrespective of whether the employing school is open for normal business or not". Where a primary teacher is absent on continuous sick leave of more than three consecutive school days, a medical certificate is required.

Circular Letter 0032/2007 sets out the provisions regarding brief absences for Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools. Special leave with pay is allowed to a teacher in the event of the bereavement of a family member which is defined as follows:

-Immediate family – spouse/partner, father, mother, step-father, step-mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, step-son and step-daughter - Five consecutive days including a weekend.

- Near relative – grandparent, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, grandchild, first cousin – Maximum of three consecutive days including a weekend.