Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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60. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of employees of her Department, who were engaged on short-term contracts, that opted to take extra payment in lieu of holiday entitlement accrued at the expiration of their contracts in each of the past three years; the proportion of all employees hired on short-term contracts over this period who opted to do so; if her attention has been drawn to any specific policy within her Department which may serve to encourage persons not to take holiday time accrued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2105/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Temporary staff are recruited by this Department to cover absences of permanent staff on maternity leave, long term sick leave, other statutory leave and also to provide cover for some staff availing of the shorter working year scheme. They are also recruited from time to time to alleviate work pressure in certain areas.

Temporary contracts are offered for a fixed purpose and the term can vary according to the purpose of the contract.

Annual leave is accrued based on the length of individual temporary contracts and staff can apply to take their annual leave entitlement. If they retain any annual leave at the termination of their contract, the Department will issue payment in lieu of any untaken annual leave.

No records are maintained which would identify the number of temporary clerical officers who were paid for any untaken annual leave.

There is no policy in place to encourage persons not to take holiday time accrued.