I'm sure there a few teachers who abuse sick leave, just like there are few bank managers who abuse sick leave, and a few architects who abuse sick leave, and a few nurses who abuse sick leave. I haven't seen any evidence that abuse is a major problem, or that abuse is not managed. I reallt think this is much ado about nothing. There are lot bigger issues to be addressed.
Only difference is that any company I've ever worked in, staff with that kind of sick rates would be sacked. When I see 4000+ employees with at least one uncertifed sick day every 8 weeks (allowing for the amount of holidays a teacher has), that to me is clear evidence that the problem is not being managed at all
Interesting to note that the media company behind that newspaper have been behind a campaign in those hospitals, so I'm not sure that they could be accepted as an unbiased source. Maybe Irish overcrowding is uniquely bad?
Below is a quote from the NHS website in the UK on MRSA prevention. You'll find similer advice from the CDC in the USA. I'm astonished that someone can think that washing your hands is "propaganda"
Staff, patients, relatives, and other visitors can help prevent spread of MRSA by thorough, regular hand washing with soap and water and by the use of the alcohol gel found on our hospital wards and on entrances to wards.
None of the FAS issues had anything to do with the unvouched problem that you raised. You might want to stop moving the goalposts if you want to have a sensible discussion on this.