Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council lost nearly a full working month per employee to sickness absence in the past year, according to figures discussed at a council committee this week.

The average of almost 30 days per staff member was raised by councillors during a meeting of the environmental services committee on 2 June, where year-end progress reports for 2025/26 were presented.

TUV representative Keith Ratcliffe told the committee he was deeply concerned about the recurring issue, having seen persistent high absence levels for more than three years. He said the level of non-attendance places pressure on remaining staff and on the delivery of frontline services. He called for the human resources department to take a more active role, and asked for details on the split between long-term and short-term sickness, as well as the financial impact on ratepayers.

Environmental services director Jonathan Hayes confirmed that the absence rate had risen slightly compared with the previous year. He noted that officers regularly engage with staff on sickness management, in partnership with HR. He attributed part of the elevated figures to an older workforce and a number of staff on long-term sick leave, which he said significantly influences the overall statistics. Measures are in place to maintain service continuity, he added.

DUP councillor Margaret Tinsley said she had repeatedly asked for long-term sickness to be reported separately, arguing that short-term absences cause the most disruption because of their unpredictability. Recording them apart would give a clearer view of operational pressures, she said.

The committee heard that the matter had previously been discussed at an environmental services working group on 18 May, and that further information would be provided to members.