I wish to inform the Deputy that Circular 4/2013 sets out details of the Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service. The Scheme provides that civil servants may be granted special leave without pay for a specific reason. A career break may be granted for family reasons, other domestic reasons, travel, educational purposes, taking up employment in the private sector or becoming self-employed. Career breaks may be granted for a period of at least six months up to a maximum of 3 years for taking up employment in the private sector or becoming self-employed and a maximum of 5 years for other reasons. Eligible staff may, in general, avail of three career breaks during their career in the Civil Service subject to a maximum of 12 years in total. On completion of a career break, an officer will be assigned to the next appropriate vacancy, with a guarantee of re-employment in his/her original grade (in line with redeployment arrangements in place), within twelve months of the end of the career break. Circular 4/2013 revoked Circular 18/1998 -Special Leave without pay for career breaks.
The Deputy may also wish to note that Circular 13/ 2009 - Special Civil Service Incentive Career Break Scheme 2009 was introduced as a once-off measure that was included in the Supplementary Budget on 7 April 2009. The closing date for participation in this scheme has expired.
The number of staff of my Department who availed of a career break and were subsequently re-instated under my remit in recent years under Circular 4/2013, Circular 13/2009 and Circular 18/1998 is set out in tabular form below.
-
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
Department of Justice and Equality
|
9
|
10
|
33
|
Irish Prison Service
|
3
|
4
|
6
|
Legal Aid Board
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
Property Registration Authority
|
5
|
2
|
3
|
Courts Service
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
Probation Service
|
0
|
1
|
4
|
An Garda Síochána
|
7
|
11
|
8
|
Total
|
26
|
29
|
58
|