Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of staff in his Department or agencies under his control that are currently on career break; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers by grade and agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44361/12]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht 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. [45604/12]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of staff across the public service that are currently on a career break; 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. [45619/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 379, 385 and 386 together.

I am advised that staff on career breaks are not included in civil and public service numbers and also that no temporary staff were engaged in either my Department or the bodies under its aegis to provide cover for staff availing of the incentivised career break (ICB) scheme.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the numbers and costs associated with those staff availing of ICBs is set out in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Details relating to staff availing of ICBs

Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht

*Grades of staff who availed of ICB: 2 Assistant Principals; 2 Clerical Officers; 2 Conservation Rangers; 1 Staff Officer

National Museum of Ireland

* Grades of staff who availed of ICB: 1 Science & Arts Attendant; 1 Educational Assistant; 1 Documentation Assistant

Irish Museum of Modern Art

*Grades of staff who availed of ICB: Technical Crew (IMMA specific grade)

While there is no provision for staff on an ICB to extend their career break on its expiry I am advised that staff may apply for a further career break. I am advised that one member of staff in my Department has availed of this facility.

While a number of staff have completed their ICBs and returned to work in the current year, the projected full year salary costs for 2013 in respect of those staff who availed of the ICB scheme are:

- €298,000 in respect of my Department;

- €26,000 in respect of the National Museum of Ireland; and

- €44,000 in respect of the Irish Museum of Modern Art.

With regard to staff currently on career breaks (rather than on ICBs as set out above), the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the numbers, grades and costs associated with those staff is set out in Table 2 below.

Table 2: Details relating to staff availing of Career Breaks (other than ICBs)