Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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350. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which career breaks are promoted within the Defence Forces; if same are offered prior to a voluntary discharge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40296/20]

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

A career break may be granted for the purposes of domestic responsibilities, further education or travel abroad, for periods of not less than six months and not more than five years.

A career break may also be granted for the purposes of self-employment, for a period of not less than six months and not more than three years. 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.

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

In order to be eligible to apply for a career break, members of the Permanent Defence Force must meet certain criteria as regards service. A Non-Commissioned Officer or Private must have completed 6 years' military service in the case of general service personnel or 9 years' military service in the case of technicians. All Commissioned Officers of the Permanent Defence Force must have completed 12 years' military service. Only in exceptional circumstances will a member with less military service than that specified above, be granted a career break.

In terms of the promotion of career breaks within the Defence Forces, I am advised that such details are contained in the Defence Forces New Entrants Handbook, while all of the associated regulations are available to view on the internal Defence Forces information portal.

In addition, administration staff at all levels within the Defence Forces including staff of Personnel Support Service (PSS) are available to advise and assist personnel as required on the arrangements in place.