Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 560: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the number of Health Service Executive staff on career breaks is damaging front-line service provision. [9073/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A career break scheme has been in operation in the HSE and, before its establishment, the health boards as part of the wider arrangements in place in the public sector. Career breaks have been offered as part wider family friendly policies in the public sector and indeed such schemes are also offered by some organisations in the private sector. A career break may be allowed for a number of reasons including family and domestic purposes (e.g. care of a relative), travel abroad, and educational purposes.

While line managers are asked to facilitate applications for career breaks as far as possible, the needs of the business or service may require that some applications will have to be refused; the operation of the career break scheme is subject to the operating requirements of the HSE not being significantly adversely affected, in particular that essential service provision is not undermined. In addition, in 2009 a Special Incentive Career Break Scheme was made available for a limited period, as part of the efforts to achieve a reduction in spending on the pay bill. This special scheme provided an incentive payment of a third of gross basic pay to a maximum of €12,500 per year, for each year of the 3 year period of the career break incentive scheme.

The HSE should normally reallocate or re-organise work or staff, where any vacancy arises due to a career break. The filling of vacancies arising is subject to current Government policy on public service numbers and, in particular, the Employment Control Framework in the health sector. I have been informed by the HSE that there are currently 930 individuals on or awaiting return from career break across the HSE.