Change in law ‘forces sick gardaí to work’

Changes to garda sick leave has resulted in a 30% drop in sick days — but staff associations have said this is because members are coming into work sick or injured.

The issue is causing considerable anger among frontline gardaí and middle-ranking officers and led to strong criticisms at a staff association conference this week.

Garda sick leave entitlement was halved last year from six months’ full pay, followed by six months’ half pay, to three months for each period — which is the general public sector standard. The changes, introduced on May 1, followed an unsuccessful legal action by garda staff associations.