Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff that availed of the special civil service incentive career break scheme 2009; the cost of the scheme since its introduction; the savings on the pay bill in that time period; the estimated full year cost for the return of all the new civil servants in 2013; the number of staff members that applied for a further extension of their leave; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45614/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Since the introduction of the Special Civil Service Incentive Career Break Scheme in 2009, 54 staff of my Department have availed of the scheme. The total cost of the scheme since its introduction in 2009 amounts to €1.7 million and the total savings on the pay bill over the period amounts to €4.2 million. The cost to my Department, should these 54 staff return in 2013 is estimated in the region of €2 million.

12 such staff have applied for a further extension of their leave without pay and all applications have been granted. Staff availing of a career break are not considered serving staff for the duration of their career break.