Written answers
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Department of Defence
Departmental Staff
Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
113. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of civil servants in his Department, and in agencies under the aegis of his 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 his Department and in agencies under the aegis of his 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [46186/24]
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The table below provides a breakdown by month and grade of civil servants in my Department who were on a career break in 2023 or 2024. There have been no instances in my Department where career breaks have been extended longer than five years in 2023 or 2024.
Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
114. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of vacancies, by month and by grade, in his Department, and in agencies under the aegis of his Department, in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46204/24]
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The table below sets out the number of vacancies that arose in my Department, by month and by grade throughout 2023 and 2024. Any vacancies that arise are filled as soon as possible, either through the Civil Service mobility scheme, on appointment from the Public Appointments Service or alternatively, through an internal promotion process. Staffing in support of the Army Pensions Board is drawn from my Department. For completeness, the administration staff of the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces and the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces have also been included in the table.
Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
115. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence 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; 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; 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [46222/24]
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I can confirm that the provisions of Circular 4/2013, Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service, are strictly complied with in all cases where civil servants avail of a career break in my Department. As per the Circular, the onus is on each individual to notify the Department of their intention to return to work at least two months in advance of the end of their career break. My Department facilitates a return to work as soon as a vacancy at the appropriate grade becomes available. There have been no instances in my Department where career breaks have been extended beyond five years arising from there being no suitable vacancy.
Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
116. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of WTE civilian tailors employed by his Department but based in military barracks in the years of 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [46308/24]
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Civilian staff are employed at various military installations to support the work of the Defence Forces. The grades employed are spread across a wide spectrum of roles and include craft workers, services, administrative, healthcare professionals and other specialist grades. There were no civilian tailors employed by my Department during the period 2023 to date.
No comments