Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2012

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Questions (265)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

265. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills 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. [45608/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

21 staff from my Department availed of the Special Civil Service Incentive Career Break Scheme 2009 and this was counted as a reduction in my Department's staffing numbers during their career break. I understand that you clarified to my officials that you were looking for the full year cost and savings of the Scheme in respect of 2011. The 2011 cost of the Scheme for 19 staff members (2 out of the original 21 staff were not availing of the Scheme by 2011) was €205,688 and the 2011 savings on the pay bill was €548,469. The savings are based on salary plus employers PRSI savings less the incentive payments made to the relevant staff under the Scheme during 2011. The current estimated full year cost for the return of staff in 2013 is €554,792 including salary and employers PRSI, based on 13 staff who have not sought further extensions of their incentivised career breaks.