Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Feb 2002

Vol. 547 No. 4

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Billy Timmins

Question:

195 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department operates term time; the number of persons who applied for this in 2000, 2001 and 2002; the number of persons who were accepted and availed themselves of the scheme; if persons were refused; if so, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3897/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

My Department continues to be proactive in the implementation of family friendly policies. The term time scheme has been in operation in my Department since June, 2001. Under the terms of the scheme, the period of unpaid special leave is available as a continuous period of 13 weeks commencing the beginning of June or ten weeks commencing the last week of June. To be eligible, a member of staff must have a child or children (up to 18 years of age) or be acting in loco parentis or be the primary carer for a person with a disability who needs care on a continuing or frequent basis.

The following table sets out the details requested.

Year	Number of applicants	Number accepted	Number who availed or will be availing	Number refused
2001	51	50	47	1
2002	107	106	105	1

Of those who were refused, one was due to there being no suitable replacement and the other due to the person concerned being on a temporary contract. The Deputy may also wish to note that some applicants who were accepted subsequently withdrew their applications to participate in the scheme.