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Departmental Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020

Tuesday, 6 October 2020

Questions (307)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

307. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff in his Department on sick leave between March and September by month in 2019 and to date 2020; the pay arrangements that exist for staff on sick leave for an extended period of time; the number of sick days accounted for by his Department over the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28941/20]

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Written answers

The table below outlines the number of staff in the Department for whom sick leave was recorded per month for the period of March to September in 2019 and 2020.

Departmental Staff

Sick pay arrangements:

The arrangements for paid sick leave in the Public Service are in accordance with the Public Service Sick Leave Regulations (S.I. 124 of 2014) and the administration of the Scheme is managed on a sectoral level by each public service employer.

The access to paid sick leave as provided for in the Scheme is as follows.

Ordinary Sick Leave

Under the Scheme, public servants have access to the following paid sick leave:

- a maximum of 92 days (3 months) on full pay in a rolling one year period;

- followed by a maximum of 91 days (3 months) on half pay;

- subject to a maximum of 183 days (6 months) paid sick leave in a rolling four year period.

Critical Illness Protocol (CIP)

Regulation 12 of the Public Service Sick Leave Regulations, provides for extended sick pay for critical illness or injury may be awarded in two types of situation:

(a) where the occupational health physician has certified that the individual is suffering from a critical illness, serious injury or serious medical condition; and

(b) where there are exceptional circumstances relating to an illness, injury or condition – either previous or current – that justifies its award.

Regulation 12 also sets out the maximum levels of sick pay to which an individual may have access in cases of critical illness or injury. These are:

- a maximum of 183 days (6 months) on full pay in a rolling 12-month period,

- followed by a maximum of 182 days (6 months) on half pay, subject to an overall maximum of 365 days of sick pay in a rolling 4 year period

Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration

In addition, Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration (TRR) may be granted to public servants who have exhausted sick leave at full and half pay and where there is a reasonable prospect of recovery and return to work.

If the required eligibility criteria are met, as set out below, for the payment of TRR the maximum period payable is 547 days in the case of ordinary illness, there is increased access to TRR under the CIP if applicable.

Requirements for the eligibility for access to TRR are;

(a) an individual must have the service required for an ill health retirement pension; and

(b) there must be a reasonable prospect of return to work to give regular and effective service

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