Public servants took more than 2 million sick days last year - an average of 8.5 days per worker.

In comparison, workers in the private sector take an average of 4.5 to 7 days per year.

Minister for Public Expenditure, Paschal Donohoe, said that since reforms were introduced, public servants are taking one sick day less than in 2013.

However, he said that the rate needs to come down further and that more support would be provided to help the sector manage the problem.

His department estimates that public servant sick leave cost tax-payers 318 million euro last year, a reduction of over 50 million euro on 2013.