Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1418. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures his Department is taking to encourage civil servants in his Department to take or avail of special leave or career breaks, or other forms of leave to encourage and facilitate Ireland's 2026 EU Presidency, the Government "Career for EU" jobs strategy, and the Department's Gaeilge-Irish language policy and promotion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3939/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to staff development and promotes several programmes annually. Staff are encouraged to apply for opportunities in the EU through the National Experts in Professional Training (NEPT) programme and the Erasmus programme. These are usually offered as secondment positions rather than facilitated through career breaks or special leave.

We look forward to playing a full and active role in the 2026 EU Presidency and staff will be given every opportunity to get involved in the appropriate ways in the run up to and the duration of the Presidency.

Gael Linn usually runs week-long residential Irish language courses in June and August. Each year the Department’s Irish Language Officer and the Learning and Development team usually invite staff to participate. Participants are granted 2.5 paid training days and may take the remaining 2.5 days as leave (eg. Annual leave, special leave.). In 2024, two staff availed of this residential training.