Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department still grants leave of absence; and if not, the reason this is not considered as a neutral cost saving exercise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40594/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I understand the Deputy has clarified that her question is exclusively in relation to career breaks of one year duration or more.

It is open to an official of my Department to submit an application for a career break in order to rear a child, other domestic purposes (eg care of a sick relative), educational courses, travel abroad or to establish their own business in accordance with the terms of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) circular reference number 18/98 which can be viewed on its website.

In assessing each case my Department will take account of the business needs of the officer's line section in facilitating or rejecting an application. There are 33 officials currently on a career break.