Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 1991

Vol. 412 No. 1

Written Answers. - Career Break and Job Sharing.

Roger T. Garland

Question:

39 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will outline, within the area of responsibility of his Department and covering each year from the commencement of the job-sharing and career break scheme (a) the total number of applications received (b) the total granted and not granted; if he will give a breakdown of the grades involved under each heading and the reasons some applications were turned down; if his Department has plans to extend the job sharing scheme from working halved hours to a system which facilitates the workers requirements; and if not, the reason therefor.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mr. S. Brennan)

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to aplications for career breaks and job sharing is set out in a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.

The job sharing and career break schemes are operated in accordance with set guidelines laid down by Department of Finance.

I should explain that, in accordance with the guidelines, job sharing applications were not granted where the posts involved were not considered suitable for job sharing or where no partner was available to job-share with the applicant. Similarly, applications for career breaks were not granted where staffing requirements and/or the specialist nature of the work made it impossible to release the applicant. In addition, applications in respect of career breaks were not granted in the case of staff members who had not completed their probationary period.

However, I should say that my Department endeavours to operate both schemes in as flexible a manner as possible in order to facilitate the legitimate needs of staff.

Job Sharing

Total number of job sharing applications received	44
Number of job sharing applications granted	26
Number of job sharing applications not granted	18

Breakdown by grade of job sharing applications which were (1) granted, (2) not granted

	Granted	Not Granted
Higher Executive Officer	2	1
Meteorologist	4	—
Meteorological Officer	—	1
Executive Officer	—	1
Staff Officer	2	1
Clerical Officer	8	3
Clerical Assistant	4	4
Clerical Assistant Typist	2	4
Clerical Assistant Shorthand Typist	2	2
Communications Assistant	2	1
Total	26	18

Career Breaks

Total number of career break applications received	155
Number of career break applications granted	123
Number of career break applications not granted	32

Breakdown by grade of career break applications which were (1) granted, (2) not granted

	Granted	Not Granted
Assistant Secretary	1
Assistant Principal	5
Administrative Officer	3
Higher Executive Officer	2
Executive Officer	5	1
Staff Officer	1
Clerical Officer	13
Clerical Assistant	28	4
Communications Assistant	3
Supervisor of Typists	1
Clerical Assistant/Typist	16
Key Punch Operator	1
Assistant Director Meteorological Service	1
Meteorological Officer	8	4
Meteorologist		2
Assistant Meteorological Officer	1
Executive Engineer	1
Aeronautical Inspector	2	1
Chief Executive IRTC		1
Air Traffic Control Officer I	1
Air Traffic Control Officer II	1
Air Traffic control Officer III	12	10
Air Traffic Control Assistant	8	1
Radio Officer III	6	6
Technical Officer III	3	2
Total	123	32