Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015
348. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Defence if he will support an extension of Circular 51/1979, leave from State employment for members of the Reserve Defence Force, to include all State bodies, including the Health Information and Quality Authority, which were established after the circular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25985/15]
View answerCircular 51/1979 provides for special leave for civil servants who are members of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) in respect of attendance at annual RDF training courses. In relation to other public bodies, specific policies relating to special leave are dealt with on a sectoral basis by the appropriate responsible Minister, factoring in the specific human resource requirements in the individual sector. It is therefore a matter for the relevant Ministers to determine the conditions and circumstances under which public servants in these bodies, who are members of the Reserve Defence Force, would have access to special leave to attend such courses.
