Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2012
184. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if his Department still grants leave of absence; and if not, the reason this is not considered as a neutral cost saving exercise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40599/12]
View answerStaff in my Department may apply for unpaid special leave in the form of a career break. A career break may be allowed for domestic, educational, travel or self-employment purposes and may be granted for a period of between six months and five years (three years in the case of self-employment). They may be approved where the normal operating requirements of Departments are not adversely affected and where additional expenditure is not incurred as a consequence.
My Department currently has twenty-six staff participating in the career break scheme.
