My Department grants leave of absence in accordance with 'Circular 18/1998: Special leave without pay for Career Break', which is available on the Government website www.circulars.gov.ie at the following link: http://circulars.gov.ie/yearindex/1998/ .
For absences shorter than the 6 months minimum for career breaks, my Department grants leave of absence e.g. parental and maternity leave, in accordance with the appropriate circulars.
Approval of applications for leave of absence are subject to the business requirements in the area in which the applicant works and to the exigencies of the business of the Department.