The information sought by the Deputy in so far as my Department are concerned is as follows: In relation to job-sharing, every applicant has been matched with a job-sharing partner either within the Department or in another suitable Department since the commencement of the scheme. The total number of staff job-sharing in my Department at present is 11. The numbers by grade are one higher executive officer, two executive officers, two clerical officers and six clerical assistants.
In relation to career breaks, a total of 87 applications have been received since the commencement of the scheme. Eighty two applications were granted and five were refused on the grounds that those applying did not fulfil the requirements of the Department of Finance circular. The grades involved in the career breaks granted are 60 clerical staff, 21 middle management and management grades and three professional staff. The grades involved in the refusal of career breaks are four clerical staff and one member of middle management staff.
As regards the health boards, voluntary hospitals and other health agencies, the Deputy will appreciate that each such body is a separate employing authority with a substantial degree of autonomy in relation to satisfying its staffing needs within the employment ceiling, budgetary and operational constraints set by my Department. In operating the job sharing and career breaks schemes, local managers must, of course, ensure that services can continue to operate efficiently. The health service, which involves a wide range of very specific skills, poses a particular challenge in this regard and on occasion the exigencies of the service demand the continued employment of the applicant in the particular post concerned.
