Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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679. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 126, 127, 128 and 129 of 23 October 2024, the number of staff coming to an end of career break in her Department in 2023 and 2024 who were not notified of an appropriate vacancy within 12 months of the end of career break; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44801/24]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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680. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 126, 127, 128 and 129 of 23 October 2024, the length of time in months spent on career break by each of the 18 staff referred to; if any of those 18 spent longer than 60 months on career break; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44802/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 679 and 680 together.

There were no staff coming to an end of career break in my Department in 2023 and 2024 who were not notified of an appropriate vacancy within 12 months of the end of career break.

Given the small numbers involved it would not be appropriate to provide detailed breakdowns for individual staff members. In accordance with the relevant circular, staff members may, subject to agreement, avail of career breaks in up to three separate instances, with a cumulative duration not exceeding 12 years.