Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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255. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will clarify the position in relation to the type of sick leave which applies in a scenario (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58100/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Public Service Sick Leave Scheme, which applies to teachers, is regulated by the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations 2014, SI 12of 2014, as amended by the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) (Amendment) Regulations 2015, SI 384 of 2015. The Sick Leave Scheme for teachers is contained in my Department’s Circular Letter 54/2019.

Under the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme, a pregnant teacher who is certified as medically unfit for work due to a pregnancy related illness i.e. Pregnancy Related Sick Leave (PRSL), will receive not less than half rate of pay for the duration of this absence. This provision is regardless of whether the teacher has reached the maximum Sick Leave limits for half rate of pay, due to Sick Leave taken in the rolling 4 year period.

Where Sick Leave is availed of, within the rolling 4 year period, following a period of PRSL:-

(a) the period of PRSL will not be counted to establish the teacher’s entitlement to paid Sick Leave , subject to the overall Sick Leave limits.

(b) the period of PRSL will be counted to establish the actual rate of pay (full/half) for the Sick Leave period, based on the teacher’s Sick Leave record over the previous rolling 1 year period, subject to the overall Sick Leave limits.

Under the Maternity Leave Scheme for teachers, full Maternity Leave entitlements apply in the event of a stillbirth, or miscarriage, any time after the 24^thweek of pregnancy or where the child has a birth weight of at least 500 grammes.