Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Finance the direction given by his Department to public sector workers who were left stranded abroad as a result of the volcanic ash disruption; the specific direction that was given to these workers in terms of making up their hours; if his Department accepted the exceptional circumstances that caused absences in work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41577/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In the matter raised by the Deputy my Department has direct responsibility in respect of the civil service only. Accordingly, the Department of Finance wrote to Personnel Officers of Government Departments and Offices on 27 April 2010 and 6 May 2010 with regard to civil servants who were stranded abroad as a result of the volcanic ash disruption. Civil Servants who were absent abroad on official business and who were prevented by the volcanic ash cloud from returning to Ireland were regarded as if they had been attending work for the period of their absence.

Civil servants who were stranded abroad but not on official business were facilitated with a number of options to assist them in addressing the period of their absences from duty during the volcanic ash activity. These options included the use of annual leave, special leave without pay, the flexi-leave system (if available).