Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources 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. [45606/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Eight members of staff availed of the Special Civil Service Incentive Career Break Scheme 2009.

The cost of the scheme to this Department, since its introduction, was approximately €276,667.

The approximate savings on the pay bill in that time period was about €691,000. This figure does not include PRSI contributions which would add to the savings.

The estimated full year cost in 2013, for the two staff members who have returned from the incentivised career break, is approximately €78,483.

Two staff members have applied for a further extension of their career breaks.

In regard to staff numbers, staff members on career break are counted as a reduction in numbers for that period. The terms of the scheme do not provide that staff return automatically to the Department. They will only be offered positions if a relevant post becomes available, or else my Department will seek to re-assign them to another Department in the location in which he or she was serving i.e. Dublin or Cavan.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of staff in his Department that are currently on a career break; the estimated cost of this scheme per year; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; 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. [45621/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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There are fourteen staff members in my Department that are currently on career break.

There is no cost to the scheme and no persons were hired to cover those on career break.

In regard to staff numbers, staff members on career break are counted as a reduction in numbers for that period. The terms of the scheme do not provide that staff return automatically to the Department. They will only be offered positions if a relevant post becomes available, or else my Department will seek to re-assign them to another Department in the location in which he or she was serving i.e. Dublin or Cavan.