Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 166: To ask the Minister for Finance the current arrangement in place regarding established civil servants wishing to take career break in 2011; the periods of which these career breaks can be taken; his plans to amend this scheme or introduce an incentivised career break scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18658/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The current arrangements in place regarding established civil servants wishing to take a career break in 2011 are set out in civil service circular no. 18/98 - Special leave without pay for career breaks and were amended in letter to Personnel Officers of 3 March 2008 - available on www.personnelcode.gov.ie. This scheme allows for established civil servants, who have satisfactorily completed two years' continuous service to apply for special leave without pay for a career break, provided they have not reached retirement age and the duration of a career break may not extend beyond retirement age. (Periods of special leave without pay which have been taken in accordance with Maternity Protection Legislation, Adoptive and Carer's Leave and Parental Leave are not considered to break continuity of service for this purpose).

A career break consists of special leave without pay for a period of not less than six months and not more than five years. A career break may be extended by periods of six months or more up to a period of five years. Eligible staff may, in general, avail of three career breaks in the Civil Service. A second and third career break may not normally be taken until the officer has been back at work for a period equal to the duration of the initial or second career break. The total period of the career breaks should not exceed ten years in all and no one period of absence should exceed five years. There is no plan to amend this scheme.

In relation to the Special Civil Service Incentive Career Break Scheme, this scheme was introduced as a once-off measure in the Supplementary Budget on 7 April 2009. The measure was extended to staff in different areas of the public service, including the local government sector and the HSE. The closing date for participation in this scheme has expired and there is no current proposal to extend the scheme.