Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2015
526. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a directive will be given to local authorities to provide sick pay where appropriate for a period in excess of six months to employees paying pay-related social insurance D1 contributions, as this is an existing anomaly in the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27204/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy understanding is that this issue arises from the implementation of the revised sick leave arrangements in the Public Service and that it relates to a very limited number of employees who have expended their entitlement to paid sick leave, over a four-year rolling period, but are not entitled to temporary rehabilitation remuneration (TRR) which, in Local Authorities, is only paid for absences of 20 working days or more.
The Public Service Sick Leave Scheme provides discretion to pay TRR where access to sick leave at the full and half rate of pay has been exhausted (e.g. 183 days over 4 years for ordinary illness, 365 days over 4 years for critical illness).
In accordance with what was agreed at the Labour Relations Commission and as part of a binding recommendation of the Labour Court, the rate of TRR was standardised across all sectors. However, the decision of when to award TRR remains a decision taken at sectorial level.
In the Local Government sector, the precursor to TRR was Pension Rate of Pay (PRP) which was awarded for long term absences (i.e. over 4 weeks). This practice continues in relation to the award of TRR in Local Authorities.
This is an issue throughout the Public Service and I am aware that a review of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme is currently under way within the Department of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The review will include an examination of TRR across the Public Sector.
My Department is examining options for a temporary alleviating measure pending the outcome of the aforementioned review.
