Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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430. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of staff in his Department on sick leave between March and September by month in 2019 and to date 2020; the pay arrangements that exist for staff on sick leave for an extended period of time; the number of sick days accounted for by his Department over the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28930/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The pay arrangements that exist for staff in my Department on sick leave for an extended period of time are those that pertain across the Civil Service. The Sick Leave Scheme in the Civil Service are set out in Circular 05/2018 – Arrangements for Paid Sick Leave, and operate in conjunction with the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations (SI 124 of 2014) and Public Service Management (Sick Leave) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 384 of 2015).

The Scheme provides for a maximum of 92 days on full pay in a rolling 1 year period followed by a maximum of 91 days on half pay in a rolling one year period subject to a maximum of 183 days paid sick leave in a rolling four year period. The Scheme also has provision for Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration and Critical Illness Provisions, informed by consideration of Occupational Health advice and assessment.

The number of sick days taken by staff in my Department between March and September 2019 and to 31st August 2020, the latest date for which figures are available, is set out in tabular format.