Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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607. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of civil servants under her remit that have been reinstated in recent years after taking a career break; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38730/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that Circular 4/2013 sets out details of the Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service. The Scheme provides that civil servants may be granted special leave without pay for a specific reason. A career break may be granted for family reasons, other domestic reasons, travel, educational purposes, taking up employment in the private sector or becoming self-employed. Career breaks may be granted for a period of at least six months up to a maximum of 3 years for taking up employment in the private sector or becoming self-employed and a maximum of 5 years for other reasons. Eligible staff may, in general, avail of three career breaks during their career in the Civil Service subject to a maximum of 12 years in total. On completion of a career break, an officer will be assigned to the next appropriate vacancy, with a guarantee of re-employment in his/her original grade (in line with redeployment arrangements in place), within twelve months of the end of the career break. Circular 4/2013 revoked Circular 18/1998 -Special Leave without pay for career breaks.

The Deputy may also wish to note that Circular 13/ 2009 - Special Civil Service Incentive Career Break Scheme 2009 was introduced as a once-off measure that was included in the Supplementary Budget on 7 April 2009. The closing date for participation in this scheme has expired.

The number of staff of my Department who availed of a career break and were subsequently re-instated under my remit in recent years under Circular 4/2013, Circular 13/2009 and Circular 18/1998 is set out in tabular form below.