Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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768. To ask the Minister for Health the reason section 39 agencies are not allowed to participate in the incentivised career break in line with Health Service Executive staff. [4155/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In May 2013 my Department issued a Circular letter to the HSE, authorising the introduction of an incentivised career break scheme in the HSE and in organisations funded by the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. The scheme was intended as a mechanism to assist managers to achieve the numbers reduction required under the 2013 Employment Control Framework, as well as the corresponding reduction in expenditure, while delivering the agreed level of service.

Staff in organisations funded under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004 are not classified as public servants. They are not counted in public service numbers, do not have public service pensions and are not bound by the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales. They are thus not eligible to participate in the HSE's incentivised career break scheme.