Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2012
489. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence 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. [44364/12]
View answer494. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence 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. [45607/12]
View answer495. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff across the public service that are currently on a career break; 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; the reforms that have taken place in this general area in the past year; 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. [45622/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 489, 494 and 495 together.
The current arrangements in place regarding career breaks for civil servants are set out in civil service circular no. 18/98 as amended by Letter to Personnel Officers of 3 March 2008 which are available on www.personnelcode.gov.ie . There are currently six members of staff of my Department availing of the Career Break Scheme under circular 18/98.
The agencies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board and the Army Pensions Board. No staff attached to these agencies are currently on a career break.
A total of eight staff in my Department availed of the incentivised career break scheme that was introduced in 2009. The cost of this scheme since its introduction is €281,898. The cost in 2011 was €94,885. The estimated net saving for the period 2009-2012 (comprising salary foregone, less career break payment) is €700,000 approx. No staff were temporarily hired to fill the vacancies arising as a result of the career breaks.
Of the eight staff that availed of the Incentivised Career Break Scheme, seven have completed their career break. One individual was granted a career break extension while another was granted special leave without pay. Three individuals have resumed duty in this or other Departments while two individuals have yet to resume duty. The full-year cost of staff returning from the incentivised career breaks to the Department in 2013 is estimated at €100,000 inclusive of the employer’s PRSI contributions. While staff are on career breaks, they are not included in the numbers serving in the Department.
Policy decisions on the career break scheme are made centrally and are a matter for the Minister for Public Service and Reform.
