The Sick Leave Statistics for the Public Service for 2014 – published on the Department’s website http://hr.per.gov.ie/ show a significant reduction in absenteeism rates and reduction in the cost of sick leave compared to 2013.
The figures relate to 245,000 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) across the Public Service and include the Civil Service, local authorities, and the Education, Health, Justice and Defence sectors.
The 2014 statistics present the first detailed quantitative information available on the impact of the reformed single Sick Leave Scheme for the Public Service, introduced on 31st March 2014 for the majority of public servants and on 1st September 2014 for the Education Sector. The new scheme effectively halved paid sick leave for public sector staff while still providing support for public servants when they are ill.
While the revised scheme was not in operation for the full twelve month period, the statistics illustrate that the new arrangements have made a significant impact in terms of savings. For example:-
- The total cost of sick leave across the Public Service for 2014 is €319.3 million (a decrease of almost 14% or €51.5 million compared to 2013)
- The rate of sick leave across the Public Service is now 4.0% (a reduction of 0.3% from 2013)
- The number of days lost to sick leave per FTE is 8.7 days (a reduction of 0.8 days from 2013)
- On account of the reduction in sick leave, there were approximately an additional 260,000 days worked by public servants in 2014 in comparison to 2013.
In addition to the statistics published on performance in each sector, information on the Average Days Lost per FTE and the Lost Time Rates are available for each Civil Service organisation.
Notes for Editors
The reformed single Public Service Sick Leave Scheme was introduced under the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations 2014 (S.I. no. 124 of 2014). The published 2014 Sick Leave Statistics for the Public Service reflect a nine month impact for most sectors other than the Education Sector (Scheme introduced on 31 March 2014 and 1 September 2014 respectively). Comparative information is not available for the Education Sector for 2013 and 2014 as previous statistics related to the school year for 2013/2014 while 2014 statistics relate to the calendar year for 2014. The calendar year reporting brings the Education Sector in line with the Public Service.
The judiciary, members of the Defence Forces and staff of the Central Bank are not included in the Scheme.
Data relating to the majority of non-commercial semi-state agencies, third-level institutions and Education and Training Boards are not currently available.

