Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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196. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff in his Department who availed of term time in 2012; the average duration of such in 2012; the number that will do so in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31210/13]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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197. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff in organisations or agencies under the aegis of his Department who availed of term time in 2012; the average duration of such in 2012; the number that will do so in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31226/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together.

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the Shorter Working Year Scheme which replaced the Term Time Scheme in 2009. In this respect, staff in my Department, and in organisations and agencies under the aegis of my Department, can apply for unpaid leave in accordance with the relevant Department of Finance circular. As far as possible staff are facilitated to avail of the Shorter Working Year scheme, however, the granting of such leave is subject to the business needs of the staff member's business unit.

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the scheme is set out in the following table:

Information in relation to An Garda Síochána is not to hand and will be forwarded to the Deputy separately.