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Departmental Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Questions (409)

Simon Harris

Question:

425 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of staff who took sick leave of more than five, ten, 15, 20 days and 21 days or over in 2011 in all agencies, offices or other bodies reporting to hers Department; the length of the ten highest incidences of sick leave across these bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33105/12]

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Written answers

All agencies under the aegis of my Department have detailed sick leave policies in place to manage time and attendance matters, including absenteeism due to sickness. The policies include procedures for staff and management to follow in recording and addressing sick leave levels. These arrangements recognise that staff may from time to time encounter challenges to their health and well-being and that management of sick leave must be done in a fair and consistent manner with the objective of addressing the cause of the sick leave and ensuring regular attendance.

Management information systems are in place to record, monitor and analyse patterns of sick leave. Failure to comply with the sick leave regulations is considered as serious misconduct and the disciplinary code may be invoked. Abuse of sick leave arrangements may lead to penalties including withholding salary increments, withdrawal of sick leave privileges and ultimately dismissal.

The specific information requested by the Deputy is set out below:

No. of staff taking sick leave of more than

Children Detention Schools

Adoption Authority of Ireland

National Educational Welfare Board

Family Support Agency

5 days

138

27

3

2

10 days

97

1

7

1

15 days

75

1

2

20 days

21 days and over

60

1

11

The ten highest incidences of sick leave across these bodies are:

Children Detention Schools

Adoption Authority of Ireland

National Educational Welfare Board

Family Support Agency

136 days

148 days

365 days

14 days

84 days

16 days

222 days

7.5 days

65 days

10 days

102.5 days

7 days

47 days

8 days

64 days

41 days

7 days

56 days

37 days

5 days

32 days

36 days

3 days

30 days

36 days

3 days

30 days

32 days

3 days

28 days

30 days

2 days

28 days

I understand that the Office of the Ombudsman for Children has contacted the Deputy directly in relation to sick leave in that office.

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