Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform 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. [40601/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service, the details of which are set out in Circular 18 of 1998.

Under the terms of this Circular, Departments have delegated sanction to grant or refuse career breaks. While staff should be facilitated as far as possible, the needs of the work may require that some applications will have to be refused. The operation of the career break scheme is subject to the operating requirements of Departments not being adversely affected or undue additional expenditure being incurred.