Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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160. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of career break applications in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the number of career breaks granted in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30695/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The administration of Career Breaks or Special Leave Without Pay and Allowances, is provided for by Defence Force Regulation A11, Paragraph 36.

The Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) determines the granting of such leave, which is subject to the exigencies of the service.

Members of the Defence Forces may be granted no more than two career breaks over the course of their service in the Permanent Defence Force. Career breaks may be granted for the purposes of domestic responsibilities, further education and travel abroad for periods of not less than six months and not more than five years. A career break for the purposes of self-employment will consist of special leave without pay and allowances for a period of not less than six months, and not more than three years.

The number of Defence Forces personnel who availed of a career break at the end of each year for the period in question is set out in the Table below:

* as at 30 Sep 2020

I am advised that details of the number of applications for Career Breaks submitted over the same period, was not available within the timeframe of this request. I have therefore requested Military Authorities to provide me with this information as soon as possible and I will duly forward this to the Deputy.