Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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1145. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of civil servants under his remit who have been reinstated in recent years after taking a career break; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38722/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The arrangements that apply in relation to career breaks in the Civil Service are outlined in current Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 4/2013 - Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service. Any employees in my Department who have taken a career break or returned to work following a career break have done so in line with the relevant guidelines set out in this Circular. A Civil Servant returning from a career break may be required to work in a different Department, or work in a different geographical location, or work in a different business area from that which he or she worked prior to going on the career break, or work different hours or work pattern than he or she had before taking the career break. In addition, it may not be possible to facilitate the return to work of a Civil Servant for up to twelve months after the end date of the career break.

In relation to the number of staff who returned to work in this Department following completion of career breaks in recent years, four returned in 2013, two in 2014, and to date two have returned in 2015.