Departmental Staff.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2009

Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Ceisteanna (556)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

611 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of uncertified sick days taken within all sections of his Department for the years 2007 and 2008 and to date in 2009; the number of employees who have taken uncertified sick days in the categories one to ten days and over ten days; the number of uncertified sick days taken Fridays and Mondays; the number of persistent offenders with regard to uncertified sick days who have been sent for an independent doctor's opinion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15666/09]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table. The details that are shown, date from the formation of the Department in June 2007.

In the case of persistent repeated uncertified sick leave short term absence management first meet the staff member to discuss the matter. Depending on the outcome the case will be referred to the Chief Medical Officer for advice in accordance with Department of Finance sick leave regulations. To date, my Department has not had occasion to refer any staff member to the Chief Medical Officer solely for reason of persistently offending with regard to uncertified sick leave.

	2007	2008	2009*
Total uncertified sick leave days taken	227 Actual days	310 Actual days	70 Actual days
No. of employees who have taken 1-10 uncertified sick leave days	126.0	134.0	54.0
No. of employees who have taken over 10 uncertified sick leave days	0.0	1.0	0.0
No. of uncertified sick leave days taken on Fridays	29.5	50.0	13.5
No. of uncertified sick leave days taken on Mondays	79.0	96.0	27.0

*These figures cover the period 1/1/09-31/3/09.