Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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561. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs 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. [28928/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As requested, please find details in the table below of the number of staff in my Department on sick leave between March and September by month in 2019 and to date 2020 and the number of sick days accounted for by my Department over the period.

Arrangements for paid sick leave in the Civil Service are set out in Circular 05/2018. The scheme provides for the payment of the following to staff during periods of absence from work due to illness or injury:

- A maximum of 92 days on full pay in a rolling one 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

Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration (TRR) was formerly referred to as Pension Rate of Pay (PRP) and will be calculated and awarded in the same way. Employees need to have 5 or more years service to qualify for TRR. It will only be payable when there is a realistic prospect of an individual returning to work.

Critical Illness Provisions (CIP) is in place in recognition of the fact that, sometimes, a longer period of sick leave can be required to address a critical illness or serious physical injury, there is provision for the following to apply in exceptional circumstances:

- A maximum of 183 days on full pay in a rolling one year period

- Followed by a maximum of 182 days on half pay in a rolling one year period

- Subject to a maximum of 365 days paid sick leave in a rolling four year period

There will be access to TRR under the CIP as follows:

- 365 days on TRR

- a further period not exceeding 730 days may be granted in cases where the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has confirmed that there is a reasonable prospect of return to work. Such cases must be directly linked to the critical illness and will normally follow a continuous period of long term sick leave. This is subject to six monthly reviews.