Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff across the public service that are currently on a career break; if his Department compiles statistics from all Departments, local authorities, the Health Service Executive and other public agencies on the numbers that avail of this scheme; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers on career leave by Department and agency; the estimated cost of this scheme per year; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; the reforms that have taken place in this general area in the past year; 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. [44359/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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There are currently 7 members of staff on career break from my Department. No staff were hired temporarily to cover these staff on career break. There were no costs arising in 2011 from these staff members being on career break. In the case of the offices and agencies under the aegis of my Department the following is the position:

One of the Career Breaks (a 3-year incentivized Career Break) cost the Valuation Office 12,500 in 2011. The current arrangements in place for civil servants wishing to take a career break are set out in Circular 18/1998 and Letter to Personnel Officers dated 3 March 2008, both of which are available on http://circulars.gov.ie/. The Government recently made a decision to revise the civil service career break scheme to allow participants take up alternative paid employment in Ireland. My Department is currently drafting this new circular.