Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the difficulty which persons on leave of absence or career break from the Health Service Executive are having in terms of being re-employed after their period of leave expires, the fact that many are being asked to wait up to a period of 12 months thereafter before being re-employed and the difficulty this poses for the persons involved; if she will confirm their priority status in respect of vacancies that may arise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11404/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy will be aware the Health Service Executive (HSE) has a responsibility to deliver services in accordance with the provisions of the 2008 National Service Plan and within the financial allocation to the HSE and the Government approved employment ceiling. The HSE has advised that the replacement of staff is an issue for decision by local management having regard to service priorities and allocated budgets. The HSE has a policy of prioritising the filling of frontline posts to enable the delivery of services to patients and clients.

The Deputy may wish to note that it is a condition of the career break scheme that if a suitable vacancy does not exist at the date of the termination of the career break an employee is guaranteed re-employment within twelve months. In accordance with the provisions of HSE HR Circular 01/2008 'HSE Employment Control Framework — filling of vacancies and new service development posts from the start of 2008' staff returning from career break should be afforded priority in the filling of vacancies arising after 1st January 2008.