§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many staff in his Department were on long-term sick leave in each of the last five years; [109254]
(2) how many staff in the Department have been on long-term sick leave in each of the last two years. [115857]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe number of staff in the Northern Ireland Office who were on long-term sick absence is as follows:
Long-termsickness absence—Northern Ireland Office staff Number 1997–98 1— 1998–99 1— 1999–2000 1— 2000–01 147 2001–02 143 1 Figures for 1997–98 to 1999–2000 could be provided onlyat disproportionatecost.
Long-term sickness absence—Northern Ireland prison civilian staff Number 1998 30 1999 33 2000 30 2001 46 2002 46 The Northern Ireland Office considers 20 consecutive days (28 for prison civilian staff) to be long-term absence.
Sick absence statistics for the 11 Departments within the Northern Ireland Administration are analysed by financial year as opposed to calendar year. The information sought is readily available only for the period 1999–2000 to 2001–02.
Long-term sick leave in the NICS is defined as those sick absences lasting more than 20 working days. Published statistics for Northern Ireland Departments for the financial years 2000–01 and 2001–02 are accessible on the Department's website at: www. dfpni.gov.uk.publications
The following table identifies the number of staff who were on long-term sick leave during the period 1999–2000 to 2001–02.
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Number 1999–2000 2,690 2000–01 2,804 2001–02 3,029 The level of sick absence has been a matter of concern over recent years and a range of corporate and departmental initiatives have been, and are being, taken forward to reduce the current levels of sick absence. Northern Ireland Departments have now set individual targets for reduction in sick absence.