§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to decrease sick leave in the Northern Ireland civil service; and if he will make a statement. [150757]
§ Mr. PearsonThe 11 departments of the Northern Ireland administration have in place a comprehensive range of initiatives aimed at reducing the level of sickness absence, and further work is planned. These are 863W broadly similar in the Northern Ireland Office. The actions being taken include: the collection of robust statistical information on the extent and causes of absences to inform actions by departments and enable the setting of departmental-specific targets; on-going reviews of policies and procedures to both strengthen the arrangements for ensuring prompt action by management and to assist staff in rehabilitation and return to work; comprehensive guidance for managers and GPs, communicated though a variety of media; mandatory training for line-managers; a strengthened occupational health support; and promotion of health improvement through a number of initiatives.