Departmental Staff Numbers

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2012

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Questions (400)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

400. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of staff in his Department that are currently on a career break; 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 the public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45621/12]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

There are fourteen staff members in my Department that are currently on career break.

There is no cost to the scheme and no persons were hired to cover those on career break.

In regard to staff numbers, staff members on career break are counted as a reduction in numbers for that period. The terms of the scheme do not provide that staff return automatically to the Department. They will only be offered positions if a relevant post becomes available, or else my Department will seek to re-assign them to another Department in the location in which he or she was serving i.e. Dublin or Cavan.