Dole staff take three weeks a year in sick leave

STAFF in the department of Social and Family Affairs took more than 190,000 days of sick leave over the past three years, an average of 12 days per year for each staff member.

However clerical officers, who include those on the front line in social welfare offices, took the most sick leave last year – on average 15 days each, totalling more than 36,000 days.

Last month, the Irish Examiner reported on uncertified sick leave in the department, which ran to almost 20,000 days since 2006 and a quarter of which were on a Monday, but the true extent of lost working days is revealed upon looking at certified leave.