Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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561. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of civil servants, by grade, in his Department who were on a career break in 2023 and 2024; the number of those who in 2023 and 2024 who were on a career break of five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44306/24]

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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566. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is satisfied that the provisions of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Circular 4/2013 are being properly implemented by his Department; if he is satisfied that civil servants whose career breaks are coming to an end are being notified of appropriate vacancies; if he is concerned by instances where civil servants are having their career breaks extended unnecessarily where the Department has appropriate vacancies to fill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44379/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 566 together.

I am satisfied that my Department properly implements the provisions of Circular 4/2013 in respect of staff returning from career breaks. Staff returning from career breaks are included in workforce planning considerations with a view to filling any appropriate existing or forthcoming vacancies in my Department.

The information requested in respect of staff on career breaks in 2023 and 2024 is set out in tabular form below. One staff member was on a career break for longer than 5 years in 2023 but subsequently resigned in 2024.