'Civil Service sickness cost £13m' - Parker
Published: 22 January, 2009
Balmoral Sinn Féin representative Vincent Parker has demanded action after it emerged that absenteeism within the Civil Service cost the taxpayer over £13 million during a six-month period last year.
Mr Parker said,
"The committee of the First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), this week, received a briefing on levels of absenteeism within the Civil Service.
"Coming out of this briefing it was clear that there have been improvements over recent years but the figures showed that Civil service staff are still missing an average of 12.9 days per year through sickness.
"Of course there are often genuine reasons for sickness and other absences. It's also important to recognise that sickness absence is often attributable to a small number of staff with many workers recording no sickness absence at all throughout the year.
"However, this figure is still much higher than you would find in the private sector and it is obvious that better procedures and practices need to be put in place in order to bring that figure down.
"It is estimated that absences within the Civil Service cost over £13m to the public purse during the period April-October 2008.
"That is clearly unacceptable, particularly when it comes in the wake of a recent capacity report which revealed that many senior members of the Civil Service felt they are not sufficiently qualified to do their jobs.
"The Department of Finance and Personnel is intending to implement a number of measures in order to tackle the high sickness rates in the public sector and our Party will be seeking a full briefing from the Department about exactly what they intend to put in place.
"This is about effective and efficient government and delivering for the people the kind of service which they deserve and which they are paying for". CRÍOCH
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