Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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244. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are limits on the amount of sick leave a public servant can take; the provisions available to a person who is suffering repeated bouts of illness; and whether annual leave entitlement can be affected. [11673/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The arrangements for paid sick leave in the Public Service are set out in the Public Service Sick Leave Regulationsand the administration of the Scheme is managed on a sectoral level by each public service employer.

The access to paid sick leave as provided for in the Scheme is as follows.

Ordinary Sick Leave

Under the Scheme, public servants have access to the following paid sick leave:

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

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

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

Critical Illness Protocol (CIP)

In order to provide support to public servants who suffer from a critical illness or injury, the Scheme provides for up to 365 days paid sick leave in a four-year period (comprising 183 days on full pay in a rolling one-year period, followed by 182 days on half pay).

Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration (TRR)

In addition, public servants may be awarded Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration (TRR).

If the required eligibility criteria are met for the payment of TRR, as set out below, the maximum period payable is 547 days in the case of ordinary illness. There is increased access to TRR under the CIP if applicable.

Requirements for eligibility:

(a) an individual must have the service required for an ill health retirement pension; and

(b) there must be a reasonable prospect of return to work to give regular and effective service.

Access is dependent on individual circumstances and in particular, the amount of paid sick leave taken, the nature of the illness and whether CIP has been granted.

Annual Leave and Sick Leave

Periods of sick leave at full and half pay will accrue full annual leave entitlements. Statutory annual leave accrues thereafter.

The statutory leave accrued can be carried over for a period of 15 months post the leave year in which it was accrued.