Vol. 397 No. 10
72 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice if a scheme for career breaks exists for the Garda Síochána as it does for the Civil Service; if so, the number of members of the Garda Síochána who have been granted career breaks and are still on career breaks; and if any of these persons have been replaced.
A scheme for career breaks in the Garda Síochána has been in operation since 31 July 1985. Since that date a total of 219 members of the Garda Síochána have been granted career breaks, of whom 133 are still on such career breaks. In the same period a total of 518 recruits were appointed to the force. I might add that 248 Garda trainees will complete their initial training and become full members of the force this year, starting with the first group of 86 in June.
