asked the Minister for Justice the reason a career break was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 who is an employee at the Land Registry Office having regard to the fact that her application for such a career break was prior to the issuing of a circular restricting career breaks; if he will reconsider the matter on this basis and in view of the fact that the person concerned had already made arrangements for foreign travel.
Written Answers. - Career Break Refusal.
29.
It has been a feature of the career break scheme since its inception that, while staff applications for such breaks would be met as far as possible, some applications would have to be refused where the needs of the work so required. The refusal of the career break in the case referred to in the question was made on this basis and was not related in any way to further restrictions affecting the scheme which were introduced by way of the more recent circular referred to in the question. The career break was refused having regard to the demands on the services provided by the Land Registry and to severe staff shortages there. The officer concerned was informed by her authorities when she submitted her application that, in the circumstances, it could not be recommended. The decision to refuse the application was taken with the sanction of the Department of Finance.