Vol. 474 No. 3
204 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of public servants in areas falling within the remit of his Department who are currently on career breaks; and the number who have been waiting over two months to return to work. [2964/97]
There are currently 238 officers of the Department on career break, of whom five are waiting more than two months to return to work. There is one officer of the National Social Services Board on a career break.
Civil servants availing of career breaks are assured of re-employment in a relevant grade within 12 months of the expiry of the career break. In all cases of persons wishing to resume duty following career break, the Department endeavours, in consultation with the Department of Finance, to minimise the waiting period.
