Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Justice and Equality

Departmental Staff

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

912. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of civil servants in her Department, and in agencies under the aegis of her Department, who were on career break in 2023 or 2024, by month and grade, and by length of career break; the number of civil servants in her Department and in agencies under the aegis of her Department who were on career break for longer than five years or longer than six years in 2023 or 2024, by month, grade, and length of career break, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46195/24]

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

914. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide an assurance that no civil servant has had their career break extended beyond five years where there is a suitable vacancy in their home Department or agency; to provide an assurance that, where a civil servant has had their career break extended beyond five years on account of there being no suitable vacancy in their home Department or agency, that they have been placed on a redeployment panel; to provide an assurance that, where a civil servant has had their career break extended beyond six years, that consideration has been given to facilitating them on a supernumerary basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46231/24]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can inform the Deputy that my Department and the bodies under its aegis comply with Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (D/PENDPR) Circular 4/2013 in relation to career breaks.

In general terms, when a civil servant applies for a career break, they must sign a form of acceptance that outlines the terms and conditions of the career break in line with Circular 4/2013. This includes a requirement to notify the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) that they wish to return at least 2 months prior to the end of the career break. If the civil servant contacts the NSSO prior to the end of the career break advising that they wish to return to work following their career break, the NSSO will advise local HR of this, who in turn will identify a suitable assignment. Please note that Circular 4/2013 stipulates that it could take up to 12 months from the end of the career break for a suitable assignment to arise.

If the civil servant does not make contact in relation to their return, prior to the end of the career break the NSSO will attempt to contact the individual in relation to the return to work. If the NSSO do not receive a reply from the individual, they will inform local HR. At this point, HR will write to the person informing them that they have been deemed resigned.

As at 31 December 2024, there were 5 civil servants on career break for longer than five years and 3 for longer than six years. Local HR are currently engaging with each of these individuals.

There are currently no civil servants in An Garda Síochána, who have been granted career break leave over the period of 5 years.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables below. Please note that my Department’s HR function provides support directly to the Irish Film Classification Office, Insolvency Service of Ireland, Property Services Regulatory Authority, Dublin Coroners Service, Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal, International Protection Appeals Tribunal, Office of the Inspector of Prisons, Office of the State Pathologist, Parole Board, Private Security Authority, Probation Service, Forensic Science Ireland, Garda Síochána Inspectorate and Cuan, the new DSGBV agency. Figures for these agencies are included in the Department of Justice & Agencies information below.

Dec-23 ASec PO AP HEO AO EO CO Other Total
Department of Justice & Agencies 0 0 8 7 16 18 19 0 68
Policing Authority 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2
Legal Aid Board 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 10 13
Irish Prison Service - - - - - - - 11** 11
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission 0 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 5
Data Protection Commission 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
The Courts Service of Ireland 0 2 4 3 0 8 5 2*** 24
Judicial Council 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Criminal Assets Bureau 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
An Garda Síochána 0 0 0 13 0 13
**This includes all prison grades, prison admin and civilian grades

*** Includes one person on a career break of over 5 years who is awaiting placement

† Denotes less than 10 - AGS do not release information on counts of less than 10 for data protection purposes

Dec-24 Asec PO AP HEO AO EO CO Other Total
Department of Justice & Agencies 0 0 8 5 16 13 17 0 59
Policing Authority 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
Legal Aid Board 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 7* 9
Irish Prison Service - - - - - - - 17** 17
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission 0 2 1 1 0 2 0 0 6
Data Protection Commission 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2
The Courts Service of Ireland 0 1 3 2 0 11 5 2*** 24
Judicial Council 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Criminal Assets Bureau 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
An Garda Síochána 0 0 0 17 0 17
* One Managing Solicitor Grade II is currently on a career break of over 5 years, the Board are currently in the process of offering a position to this officer

** This includes all prison grades, prison admin and civilian grades.

*** Includes one person on a career break of over 6 years who is awaiting placement

† Denotes less than 10 - AGS do not release information on counts of less than 10 for data protection purposes.

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

913. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vacancies, by month and by grade, in her Department, and in agencies under the aegis of her Department, in 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46213/24]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

At the end of December 2024 there were 321 vacancies across my Department. Of these 283 are within the core Department. My Department’s HR function provides support to the Irish Film Classification Office, Insolvency Service of Ireland, Property Services Regulatory Authority, Dublin Coroners Service, Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal, International Protection Appeals Tribunal, Office of the Inspector of Prisons, Office of the State Pathologist, Parole Board, Private Security Authority, Probation Service, Forensic Science Ireland, Garda Síochána Inspectorate and Cuan, the new DSGBV agency. 38 vacancies at the end of 2024 were across these agencies. This is a combined vacancy rate of 8% across the Department and these agencies.

Comparable data for December 2023 or more detailed vacancy information, by month and grade, is however not available.

The information requested by the Deputy for other aegis bodies set out in the tables below.

Agency - December 2023 Asec PO AP HEO AO EO CO Other Total
The Courts Service of Ireland 0 1 7 14 N/A 31 36 3 92
Policing Authority 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 4
Legal Services Regulatory Authority 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Judicial Council 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission 0 1 1 6 0 3 5 0 16
Data Protection Commission 0 2 11 36 0 0 12 0 61
Legal Aid Board 0 1 1 5 0 2 4 15 28
Criminal Assets Bureau 0 0 3 1 0 1 5 5 15
Agency - December 2024 Asec PO AP HEO AO EO CO Other Total
The Courts Service of Ireland 0 0 6 10 N/A 26 32 2 76
Policing Authority 0 1 3 6 0 1 4 0 15
Legal Services Regulatory Authority 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 4
Judicial Council 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission 0 0 1 4 0 14 0 0 19
Data Protection Commission 1 1 10 28 0 7 1 0 48
Legal Aid Board 0 0 0 6 0 4 16 10 36
Criminal Assets Bureau 0 0 0 5 0 2 1 2 10

I am informed by An Garda Síochána that the breakdown of information requested by the Deputy is not available, however, at the end of December 2023 there were 229 vacancies and at the end of November 2024, the latest figure available, there were 124 vacancies across Garda Staff.

I am further informed by the Irish Prison Service that the breakdown of information requested by the Deputy is not available, however, at the end of December 2023 there were 226 vacancies and at the end of November 2024, the latest figure available, there were 124 vacancies across prison officer and other grades.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.