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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Questions (120)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

120. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if measures have been considered to allow employees to defer taking annual leave entitlements to later dates and or into 2021 if necessary when Covid-19 domestic and international travel restrictions are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8540/20]

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Written answers

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has issued guidance to civil and public service employers regarding annual leave during COVID-19.

Although social distancing and COVID-19 is expected to continue for a number of months, managers should realise the importance of making sure that employees are still using their annual leave entitlement. Taking a break from work from a health and well-being perspective is a chance to recover from the demands of work. The benefits of taking annual leave are not limited to going on holiday; it can also be the taking time away from work to spend on personal interests. Even without COVID-19, time away from work is directly correlated with reducing stress. Regular breaks from work have been shown to reduce ill health and overall absenteeism. Managers should ensure that their team members are availing of annual leave in a way that supports well-being, and also ensures that their team is supported to take their statutory minimum entitlement.

Employers should facilitate requests for annual leave where possible so that once the crisis passes, organisations can meet increased demand without having to cater to a large volume of annual leave requests. Section 20 (1) of the Organisation of Working Time Act provides that the times at which annual leave is granted are determined by the employer. In that regard, the employer should have regard to the opportunities for rest and recreation available to the employee but also the need for the employee to reconcile work and any family responsibilities.

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the various challenges facing Departments and Offices, a special once off arrangement was put in place on 13 March 2020 to allow civil service employees additional time to avail of their annual leave during the 2020/21 annual leave year which runs from April 2020 until March 2021. In addition, an IT system change in recent days has retrospectively reverted some employees to their previous cycle year, to ensure that they have the benefit of extra time to use their annual leave entitlement.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade currently advises against all non-essential travel overseas. The Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business notes that people are currently to remain within 5km of home, expanding to remain within 20km of home up until phase 4 on 20 July. Further guidance on annual leave may be issued when guidance on domestic and international travel is updated.

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