asked the Minister for the Public Service the number of employees in the public service; the number of work-days lost through sick-leave during the past year; and the number of medical certificates issued.
Written Answers. - Public Service Employees.
495.
The number of employees in the public service in 1983 was 310,000 approximately. However, as I indicated in response to a similar question from the Deputy on 29 June 1983, my Department are not responsible for the administration of sick leave schemes in the public service as a whole.
The review referred to in my earlier reply in respect of the non-industrial civil service is not yet completed. This review relates (a) to the year 1982 and (b) to a total workforce of 60,500. Preliminary results, from a sample of 16,000 of the 60,500, indicate that the average number of working days lost through sick leave in the year 1982 was nine. If the sample results hold true the total number of working days lost would have been 544,500.
Details of the number of medical certificates issued by doctors are not recorded centrally. However, I can tell the Deputy that on average seven of the above nine days were in respect of medically certified illnesses.