And the HSE has warned it will take action against those "suspected of abusing the sick leave system" as absenteeism is of "serious concern" to health managers locally.

Key performance indicators at nine hospitals – in Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Sligo, Navan, Portlaoise and three in Dublin – show Limerick Regional trailing when it comes to absenteeism rates.

According to HSE figures, the rate of absenteeism among general support staff, including attendants, porters and housekeeping staff, was the highest in the land at 7.8 per cent.

And among non-medical support staff, comprising clerical and administrative staff, the hospital again figured highly with an absenteeism rate of 10.5 per cent.

Only Waterford Regional, at 11.5 per cent, and Sligo Regional, with 11 per cent, had a higher share of these staff absent from work, according to the HSE statistics.

Trade unions representing support staff at the hospital were asked for comment but had not responded at the time of going to press.

For the full story see today's Limerick Leader tabloid edition