Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 October 2011
180 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health the number of absenteeism days in each office of the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive that operates in Dublin north east HSE region; the number of absenteeism days per each office; the estimated amount lost to the Exchequer through lost work; the amount that has been paid out in agency fees to cover those absent days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28048/11]
View answerBased on the most recent analysis carried out by my Department, the number of days lost to sick leave (excluding a small number of staff on medically certified long term sick leave) for the period 1st January 2011 to 3rd October 2011 is 2,706. This equates to a lost time rate of 3.48%. The cost to the Exchequer of this is approximately €442,000. My Department does not pay agency staff to cover the sick absences of its own staff.
In relation to the Health Service Executive, the July Performance report shows that absenteeism for June 2011 was 4.87% nationally, with a rate of 4.10% in Dublin North East. The more detailed aspects of the Deputy's question have been referred to the Executive for attention and direct reply.
