Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

90. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one to two years, two to three years, four to five years and more than five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49126/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to inform the Deputy that Career breaks are available in the civil service and in the state sector generally.  The scheme is promoted as being one of a number of facilities that help staff to combine work and family responsibilities.  A career break consists of special leave without pay for a period of not less than six months and not more than five years. A career break may be extended in six monthly periods or in periods in excess of six months provided the total period of special leave without pay does not exceed five years in all.  Subject to certain conditions eligible staff may, in general avail of three career breaks during their career provided the total period does not exceed twelve years.

Where a civil servant has previously taken a career break(s), s/he must be currently working in the Civil Service for a period of time which is either the same or longer than the length of his/her previous career break before s/he can apply for a second or third career break.

The number of staff in my Department currently on a sabbatical/career break is shown below: