Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012
66 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Taoiseach the procedures in place to manage sick leave in all agencies, offices or other bodies reporting to his Department, separate to individuals working directly for his Department; the combined number of sick days taken by staff in the agencies, offices or other bodies reporting to his Department in 2011 and to date in 2012; the financial cost of this sick leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33028/12]
View answer69 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Taoiseach 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 his Department; the length of the ten highest incidences of sick leave across these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33117/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 69 together.
The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only agency under the aegis of my Department. NESDO operates a comprehensive sick leave policy which is outlined in its Policy and Procedures Guidelines. These Guidelines were agreed by both staff and management and approved by the NESDO board, and are reviewed on an annual basis. NESDO's sick leave policy outlines the responsibilities of both staff and management in the management of sick leave. Among the requirements are review meetings ( where individual staff member's pattern of sick leave is examined and discussed with the staff member concerned), return to work meetings (to facilitate a staff member's transition back to work after an instance of long-term certified sick leave), resumption of work forms, and disciplinary measures where sick leave abuse occurs. NESDO's Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) also offers an opportunity for the manager to discuss with a staff member instances where attendance patterns impact on the individual's performance.
NESDO fully complies with the requirements set out in Circular 9/2010.
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of sick leave days in 2011 for NESDO is contained in the following tabular statement.
|
Number of Sick Leave Days in 2011 |
Number of Staff |
|
More than 5 |
4 |
|
More than 10 |
1 |
|
More than 15 |
0 |
|
More than 20 |
0 |
|
More than 21 |
0 |
The length of the ten highest absences in 2011 was as follows: 12, 9, 7, 6, 5.5, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 days.
The combined number of sick leave days taken by staff in 2011 and to date in 2012 is 76.5 and 36 respectively. While no direct costs were incurred (by the employment of substitute staff or additional overtime), the salary cost of this sick leave in 2011 and to date in 2012 is approximately €15,200 and €7,200 respectively.
