Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Public Service Retirements and Career Breaks.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

600 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice the number of staff in the Public Service who have, since 1 January 1992, applied for early retirement, re-deployment or career breaks; the number of staff in her Department who have made successful application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15419/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of staff who have applied for career breaks since 1 January 1992 in my Department is set out in the following table.

Offices/Locations	No. of Applications for Career Breaks
Department	29
Probation and Welfare Service	25
Prison Service	39
Garda Síochána	47
Garda Civilian Staff	40
Courts Service	24
Land Registry/Registry of Deeds	28
Offices of Charitable Donations and Bequests	nil
Total	232

All applications with the exception of 12 in the Garda Síochána, one in the prison service and one in the courts service were granted.

There has been no scheme for early retirement and no applications for redeployment in the Department of Justice from 1992. There have been 683 voluntary retirements in the Garda Síochána for the period concerned, i.e. members who retired before having reached the statutory maximum retirement age. The Garda authorities have stated that redeployment of members within the Garda Síochána is an integral part of the efficient administration of the force. Movement of members will arise for a variety of reasons including the exigencies of the service, special unforseen circumstances, United Nations duties etc.