Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 November 2019
236. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sworn and unsworn members of An Garda Síochána on sick leave; the number in receipt of pay; the number absent due to occupational injuries with pay; the number absent due to non-occupational injuries with pay; the number on sick leave without pay in each category; the cost to date in 2019; the cost in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46235/19]
View answer237. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of sick pay within An Garda Síochána for the past five years by occupational and non-occupational absences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46236/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for personnel and human resources matters. I do not have a direct role as Minister in the matters raised by the Deputy.
However, I have requested the information sought by the Deputy. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table details the number of Garda members and staff absent on sick leave due to occupational and non-occupational illness or injury.
Garda Members absent on sick leave as of 5/11/2019:
|
Occupational Injuries/Illness/Injury On Duty |
Non-Occupational Injuries/Illness |
Total |
|
153 |
489 |
642 |
Garda Staff absent on sick leave as of 5/11/2019:
|
Occupational Injuries/Illness |
Non-Occupational Injuries/Illness |
Total |
|
2 |
95 |
97 |
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are not in a position to provide the details of the number with/without pay in each category.
As the Deputy will be aware, the provisions for the payment of sick leave in respect of non-occupational injuries/illness are set out in the Public Service (Management) Sick Leave Regulations 2014 (SI 124 of 2014), as amended by the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (SI 384 of 2015).
I understand that the provisions for the payment of Sick Leave in respect of occupational injuries/ illness for Garda Staff are set out in Department of Finance Circular 25/75 and for Garda Members in the Garda Síochána (Finance) Code.
Finally, the Deputy may be interested to know that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform publishes statistics in relation to sick leave and costings for each sector on an annual basis. The figures for 2018 are available on their website https://hr.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Appendix-A_-Sectoral-Statistics-2018-and-Trends-2013-2018_V2.FINAL_.pdf.
