€500m lost to absenteeism in public sector
The Government said during the budget announcement it intends tackling widespread sick leave in the public sector as well as the private sector next year, including the closure of a loophole which allows workers claim higher pay when sick than at work.
Department of Public Expenditure secretary general Robert Watt yesterday confirmed that absenteeism in the public service was costing the state up to half a billion euro a year.
He told the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that this related not only to the payment of salary while someone was on sick leave but also to the cost for substitute workers.
“Some [departments and agencies] are better, some are worse,” he told TDs.
TDs on PAC stressed there was a need to better manage the large sick pay bill.
The HSE, which employs 100,000 people, admitted earlier this year that one in 20 of its staff on any given day were out sick.
This is double the average rate in the private sector.
Mr Watt said the average sick leave rate was 4.9% in the civil service yesterday, with workers missing about 11 days a year through absenteeism.
The €500m bill included paying for substitute workers needed to cover those on sick leave in positions such as teaching, he said.
Certain measures were in place to monitor sick leave, he said. These included sending workers with nine or more uncertified work days to HR managers and those out sick for four weeks or more to a medical officer.
“We are taking a more proactive approach,” Mr Watt said, adding that the average sick leave rate was about 3% in his own department.
Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin yesterday admitted the Government was considering whether to reduce increments for public sector workers. He said it was hoped the efficiencies in public services could achieved, as agreed under the Croke Park deal.
