Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 June 2018
130. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a person who is employed in the public sector and has exceeded the allowed sick leave days for a four-year period due to being involved in a car accident can appeal the decision to block their promotion chances for the next four years due to the sick leave overrun through no fault of his or her own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27654/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme (Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 124 of 2014) apply across the entire public sector and encompass the Education, Health, Justice, Local Government and Civil Service. The Scheme is administered on a sectoral basis with regard to issues such as procedures for managing attendance.
While I cannot comment on individual cases or circumstances, your question appears to refer to the administrative arrangements for sick leave in the Civil Service and these are governed by Circular 05/2018 Arrangements for Paid Sick Leave, available at https://circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/per/2018/05.pdf.
The arrangements in place with regard to promotion and sick leave are set out in paragraphs 5.8 and 5.9 of the Circular. These arrangements apply across the civil service.
The sick leave record of an individual is taken into account in the event that a promotion is being considered. The HR Manager may exercise discretion as to whether a sick leave absence can be discounted in certain circumstances for eligibility for promotion. In exercising this discretion the HR manager may take into account the compatibility of the sick leave record with the requirement for regular and effective service at the higher grade and any advice that may have been given on the specific case by the Chief Medical Officer.
HR Managers consider each situation by assessing a range of factors which are set out in paragraph 5.9 of the Circular and are based on the individual circumstances involved.
The Circular is not prescriptive on whether or not sick leave should be discounted based on the cause of the illness. The key focus is on whether, at the time the promotion is sought, an individual is likely to be able to attend work regularly and be effective in their role.
