141. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline, in tabular form, the total number of sick days taken by staff in his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 and further broken down by uncertified, certified and long-term absence leave. [28828/14]

The information requested is set out in the following table:

* At 30 June 2014

** WTE indicates whole time equivalent staff

* * * Absence in excess of 20 working days considered long term sick absence

S taffing levels were reduced in my Department in May 2011 following the transfer of heritage functions out of my Department to the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht and the transfer to my Department of the community functions of the previous Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.