Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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73. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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 were on a career break of five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44303/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The number of civil servants on career break from the Department of Foreign Affairs at comparable dates in 2023 and 2024 is provided below.

None of the career breaks were for longer than five years. In exceptional circumstances an officer may be granted an additional career break without the required period of service between career breaks, in line with the procedures outlined in Circular 4/2013: Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service.