Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 October 2015
149. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on current sick leave arrangements regarding staff on redeployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36956/15]
View answerThe Public Service Agreements (the Croke Park and Haddington Road Agreements) provide for agreed redeployment arrangements to apply in the Civil Service and in other parts of the Public Service where there are surplus staff. A Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circular (Circular 8 of 2010) setting out the arrangements across the Civil Service and between the Civil Service and Non-Commercial State Sponsored Bodies issued in July 2010 and can be found at http://hr.per.gov.ie/redeployment/.
The sending organisations must confirm the suitability of the person for the position on the grounds of conduct and sick leave.
Individuals who have sick leave in excess of the standard sick leave arrangements who are considered the best match for a position will have their sick leave referred to the CMO for the purposes of having it discounted.
In accordance with section 6.3.14 of the Croke Park Agreement, it is open to receiving organisations to refuse to accept staff on conduct and sick leave grounds. However, if the best match for a post has an unsatisfactory record in relation to conduct or sick leave, the sending and receiving organisations may consider whether an assignment may proceed notwithstanding. In that case, regard should be had to the overall size of the receiving office and the number of posts at the equivalent grade level in the location in question. This is a matter for the organisations concerned in the redeployment.
Where an office is being abolished, the receiving organisation may not refuse an assignee on conduct or sick leave grounds.
In all cases, sending and receiving organisations will address any underperformance or attendance issues arising in accordance with the terms of paragraphs 3.13 and 3.14 of the Haddington Road Agreement.
