Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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88. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the process for carry-over of leave for Office of Public Works operatives (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10852/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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On the 20th January 2021, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) issued an official statement which was communicated to all operational staff regarding the carryover of annual leave. In it, DPER has authorised that all staff will remain in their current leave year for the 2021/2022 cycle.

For example:

- If currently in year 1 in 2020/2021, the staff member will remain in year 1 in 2021/2022.

- If currently in year 2 in 2020/2021, the staff member will remain in year 2 in 2021/2022.

- If currently in year 3 in 2020/2021, the staff member will remain in year 3 in 2021/2022.

- If a member of staff has used their full entitlement during the current leave year and has no leave to carry over, they will automatically revert to year 1 at the end of their current leave year as normal.

All operational staff, without exception, must take their statutory leave allowance before the 31 March 2021. Only annual leave in excess of the minimum statutory leave can be carried forward in accordance with the Department of Finance Circular 27/03.