GOVERNMENT employees who turn up drunk for work may need a taxi or other transport paid for to ensure they get home safely, according to a memorandum issued to civil servants.

The health and safety circular, which has been sent to state workers, warns that a government body could be held responsible if a person injured themselves on the way home from work.

It says: "Managers/supervisors should ensure, insofar as is reasonable, the safety of the person concerned in exiting the building and being transported home.

"It may be appropriate in certain circumstances to arrange transport to ensure the safety of the person concerned in arriving home safely."

The newly-published circular outlines how managers should watch out for certain warning signs of drink or drug problems among employees.

The policy says that Ireland has the second-highest per capita rate of alcohol consumption in the European Union and that it was "reasonable to assume" that the Civil Service had the same problems as any other body.

It says that employees who openly admit a drink or drug problem will be "regarded as having a health problem to be catered for and treated with sensitivity and discretion".

Managers, however, can also tackle employees if they believe that their drinking or drug-taking is having an impact on their work performance.

The circular says that the employee should be invited to a "performance management discussion" where the concerns are outlined.

It says: "It should not be construed as bullying and/or harassment if it subsequently emerges that the individual does not have such a problem, provided the manager had reasonable concerns."

The policy, which has been circulated by the Department of Finance, also warns state employees not to turn up for work "unfit for duty". They are also obliged to admit if "they have or are developing an alcohol and/or drug abuse problem".