Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In response to the Deputy's question the table following outlines the number of civil servants who have been reinstated following a career break in my Department and the bodies under my aegis.

-	2012	2013	2014	2015
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform	1	1	1	2
Public Appointments Service	1	0	1	1
Special EU Programmes Body	1	0	0	0
Office of the Ombudsman	1	1	1	0
Valuation Office	0	2	0	4
State Lab	1	0	1	1
The Office of Public Works	4	3	1	2

The terms of the Career Break Scheme for civil servants are set out in Circular 04/2013.  The return to work provisions of the scheme are set out in paragraphs 31-34.  At the end of a career break a civil servant must either return to work, resign or if applicable request an extension to their career break.  The maximum period of a career break is five years or twelve years aggregate over three career breaks.  While on career break a civil servant retains their status as a civil servant.  The return to work provision only applies to civil servants that were granted a career break in accordance with the scheme.