Updated 11.05

Sick leave in the public service is costing the state €430m every year.

That is according to details of internal government documents published in today's Irish Times.

The figures from 2012 show the rate of sick leave in the public sector is almost twice that taken in the private sector, while the highest rates are seen in the gardaí and health service.

A new scheme covering uncertified sick leave in the public service is expected to cut the multi million euro annual bill.

The €430m figure relates to 2012, but the Department of Public Expenditure is highlighting the fact that new rules came into effect last March, cutting the uncertified sick leave allowance by half.

Gerald Flynn of Align Management Solutions, on Newstalk's Breakfast, refuted claims public sector workers don't earn double the average private sector worker, but he did admit that absenteeism unchecked can run riot:

Mr Flynn says one easy way to cut down on sick leave is to interview the employee on their return to work, so that they know the leave has not gone unnoticed.

Nurses respond

The INMO is defending its members after it emerged health workers and gardaí take the most sick leave in the public service.

Liam Doran of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says they have a very challenging job:

These people in Dublin told Newstalk's reporter how many sick days they would take in a year: