Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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139. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in detail, the sick leave entitlements of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33497/16]

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 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, in exceptional circumstances of:

- A maximum of 6 months (183 days) on full pay in a year

- Followed by a maximum of 6 months (182 days) on half pay

- Subject to a maximum of 12 months (365 days) paid sick leave in a rolling four year period.

Where the relevant period of sick leave has been exhausted, a teacher with a minimum of 5 years’ service at the end of the period of paid sick leave may, subject to certain conditions, be granted Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration (TRR).

TRR will not exceed 18 months (548 days) in the case of ordinary illness. In the case of a teacher who has been granted extended sick pay under the critical illness provisions, he/she may have access to 12 months (365 days) TRR followed by a further period of TRR not exceeding 24 months (730 days). This further period of TRR is subject to six-monthly reviews.

Details of teachers' sick leave are set out in the electronic book "Employment Terms and Conditions for Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools" which is available on my Department's website.

In accordance with the provisions, as outlined in the book, sick leave may be granted to a teacher who is unable to perform his/her duties because of illness or injury by an employer. A detailed statement of all sick leave absences should be supplied annually or on request to each teacher by the employer, i.e. Board of Management or Education and Training Board.