Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 122: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures the Civil Service has in place to allow members of the Irish public service gain work experience within the European Commission or to be seconded to the Commission from relevant Irish Departments; the number of Irish civil servants who are working within the European Commission under any such arrangement; their titles and functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3039/12]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 123: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of civil servants from each Government Department who are based in the European Commission working in the relevant permanent representative offices; their titles and functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3040/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together.

The Civil Service participates in the EU Commission programmes allowing for the secondment, on a temporary basis, to the EU Commission of national experts in order to foster the exchange of professional experience and knowledge of European policies. The decision to participate in these programmes is a matter for individual Departments in the context of their business needs. Heads of Departments have delegated sanction to award special leave under the terms of Circular 33/1991:- Special leave without pay to take up an appointment with an institution of the European Communities or other international organisation of which Ireland is a member.

Special leave to serve with organisations within the EU may be granted for a maximum of ten years or up to the minimum retiring age, whichever is the shorter, including extensions and regardless of the number of institutions served.

My Department currently has no staff member working in the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels.