Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2012
132. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff in his Department or agencies under his control that are currently on career break; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers by grade and agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44368/12]
View answer154. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff that availed of the special civil service incentive career break scheme 2009; the cost of the scheme since its introduction; the savings on the pay bill in that time period; the estimated full year cost for the return of all the new civil servants in 2013; the number of staff members that applied for a further extension of their leave; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45611/12]
View answer155. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers on career leave by Department and agency; the estimated cost of this scheme per year; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in he public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45626/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 132, 154 and 155 together.
Details by grade of the thirty-one staff currently availing of career breaks, including under the 2009 special incentive career break scheme, are provided in the following table:
|
Grade |
Standard career break |
Special incentive career break |
|
First Secretary |
2 |
1 |
|
Third Secretary |
3 |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
|
|
Staff Officer |
3 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
17 |
1 |
|
Total |
28 |
3 |
Details by grade of the number of staff that in 2009 availed of the special incentive career break scheme are as follows:
|
Grade |
Number |
|
Counsellor |
1 |
|
First Secretary |
1 |
|
Assistant Legal Adviser |
1 |
|
Third Secretary |
3 |
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
12 |
|
Total |
22 |
Since the introduction of the moratorium on recruitment in March 2009 staff on career breaks have not been replaced. Staff on career breaks are not regarded as part of the Department’s core staffing. Staff that availed of the special incentive career break scheme were eligible to receive payments of one third of gross basic pay, subject to a maximum of €12,500 per year. The total amount paid by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to date under this arrangement is €672,624, representing estimated payroll savings of some €1.85m over the three years.
Of the 22 officers that availed of the special incentive scheme: 8 have resumed duty; 3 are expected to resume duty in the coming weeks; 8 were permitted to convert to the standard career break scheme for a further two years; 2 resigned and 1 retired.
The estimated payroll cost in 2013 in respect of the eleven officers who will have returned to duty from career breaks under the incentive scheme is €443,161.
There are no State agencies under the aegis of my Department.
