The new sick leave scheme, which I have introduced from 31 March 2014, is set out in the Public Service (Sick Leave) Regulations S.I. 124 of 2014 and applies to all public servants in all sectors of the public service, other than the Permanent Defence Forces.
The new sick leave scheme was introduced following the enactment of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments)(Amendment) Act 2013 by the Oireachtas to reduce the very high and unsustainable cost of sick leave in the public service.
It is important to note that existing arrangements in place for occupational injuries or illness are not affected by the new scheme and so where an individual suffers from a confirmed occupational illness or injury they should be covered by the terms of that scheme rather than the sick leave scheme.
In addition, in order to provide support for public service employees under the Critical Illness Protocol, put in place as part the new scheme, an employee continues to be entitled to 12 months of paid sick leave on the same basis as heretofore (i.e. 183 days on full pay in a rolling one year period, followed by 182 days on half pay subject to a maximum of 365 days in a rolling four year period) where an individual suffers a critical illness or serious physical injury.
I believe that the reformed sick leave arrangements, with the provision for extended sick leave, represent a correct balance between the requirement to reduce the overall cost of sick leave while at the same time providing appropriate support to individuals who are ill. Furthermore, my Department will in collaboration with other responsible departments monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the new sick leave scheme.
