Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 5

Written Answers - Career Breaks.

Michael Ring

Question:

76 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health whether a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who is on leave of absence from the Western Health Board, can be given a six-month extension, similar to others, in order that she can return to work on a proper job sharing basis when the opportunity arises. [7872/97]

Michael Ring

Question:

79 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health if he will give a person (details supplied) in County Mayo the same leave of absence extension from the Western Health Board as was given to others until a suitable post arises. [7370/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The Western Health Board is responsible for the management of services and deployment of staff in its own area. The career break scheme and the job-sharing scheme is applicable to all health agencies, including health boards, under the aegis of the Department of Health. The scheme is open to all staff. The terms of the scheme provide that its operation and management is a matter for each health agency and must necessarily depend on the demands of the service.

The person to which the Deputy refers has already received a career break to the maximum period allowable under the scheme, namely five years. The board has already agreed to an extension beyond this date. The board has further agreed to allow the person concerned three months special leave without pay shortly after her return to full-time duty.

The terms of the career break scheme do not preclude staff from applying to be considered under the job-sharing scheme. I understand that discussions have already taken place between the board and the person concerned concerning her wish for job-sharing and efforts have been made to accommodate her wishes. It is a matter for individual health agencies and their employees to agree suitable posts under the scheme. My Department has urged health agencies to make the schemes available to as many employees as possible, taking into account service considerations.