Cost of public sector sick leave falls 10%

The cost of sick leave across the public service has dropped by 10% in just three years — except in the civil service, where it has increased by more than 13%.

Figures released by the Department of Public Expenditure showed that sick leave among the State’s employees cost €447.4m in 2012. That was broken down into €401.4m for certified sick leave and €46m for uncertified leave.

The corresponding total for 2010 was €494m — €433.1m certified and €56.9m uncertified.