The information requested by the Deputy in Question Number 135 of 20 November 2018 was not available within the given timeframe when asked. The Military Authorities have now provided the required data and I am in a position to issue a response.
In line with other sectors, sick leave statistics for the Permanent Defence Force are compiled annually and provided to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (D/PER). These statistics are used in order to track the level of absenteeism across the Public Service. The absentee rates for the Public Service are then published by D/PER.
As per Defence Force Regulation A12, sick leave may be granted to a member of the Permanent Defence Force, on the recommendation of a Medical Officer, or if not practicable, on the recommendation of a civilian medical practitioner.
The total number of sick leave days taken by members of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, in each year since 2009, by officer and enlisted personnel, are set out in tabular form.
Year
|
Army Officer
|
Army - Other Ranks
|
Air Corps Officer
|
Air Corps - Other Ranks
|
Naval Service Officer
|
Naval Service - Other Ranks
|
2018
|
1314
|
69290
|
314
|
7691
|
622
|
7502
|
2017
|
1309
|
63382
|
533
|
5912
|
475
|
6706
|
2016
|
1210
|
61966
|
517
|
4359
|
229
|
6643
|
2015
|
1354
|
54909
|
515
|
4328
|
358
|
6669
|
2014
|
1487
|
46837
|
510
|
4132
|
420
|
5488
|
2013
|
1502
|
48498
|
404
|
4223
|
387
|
5008
|
2012
|
1600
|
45448
|
200
|
3190
|
284
|
4830
|
2011
|
1799
|
50200
|
195
|
2592
|
359
|
5359
|
2010
|
1529
|
57507
|
404
|
3326
|
411
|
5648
|
2009
|
1805
|
52900
|
350
|
3392
|
281
|
5823
|