I can inform the Deputy that my Department and the bodies under its aegis comply with Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (D/PENDPR) Circular 4/2013 in relation to career breaks.
In general terms, when a civil servant applies for a career break, they must sign a form of acceptance that outlines the terms and conditions of the career break in line with Circular 4/2013. This includes a requirement to notify the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) that they wish to return at least 2 months prior to the end of the career break. If the civil servant contacts the NSSO prior to the end of the career break advising that they wish to return to work following their career break, the NSSO will advise local HR of this, who in turn will identify a suitable assignment. Please note that Circular 4/2013 stipulates that it could take up to 12 months from the end of the career break for a suitable assignment to arise.
If the civil servant does not make contact in relation to their return, prior to the end of the career break the NSSO will attempt to contact the individual in relation to the return to work. If the NSSO do not receive a reply from the individual, they will inform local HR. At this point, HR will write to the person informing them that they have been deemed resigned.
As at 31 December 2024, there were 5 civil servants on career break for longer than five years and 3 for longer than six years. Local HR are currently engaging with each of these individuals.
There are currently no civil servants in An Garda Síochána, who have been granted career break leave over the period of 5 years.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables below. Please note that my Department’s HR function provides support directly to the Irish Film Classification Office, Insolvency Service of Ireland, Property Services Regulatory Authority, Dublin Coroners Service, Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal, International Protection Appeals Tribunal, Office of the Inspector of Prisons, Office of the State Pathologist, Parole Board, Private Security Authority, Probation Service, Forensic Science Ireland, Garda Síochána Inspectorate and Cuan, the new DSGBV agency. Figures for these agencies are included in the Department of Justice & Agencies information below.
|
Dec-23
|
ASec
|
PO
|
AP
|
HEO
|
AO
|
EO
|
CO
|
Other
|
Total
|
|
Department of Justice & Agencies
|
0
|
0
|
8
|
7
|
16
|
18
|
19
|
0
|
68
|
|
Policing Authority
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
|
Legal Aid Board
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
10
|
13
|
|
Irish Prison Service
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11**
|
11
|
|
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
|
Data Protection Commission
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
|
The Courts Service of Ireland
|
0
|
2
|
4
|
3
|
0
|
8
|
5
|
2***
|
24
|
|
Judicial Council
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Criminal Assets Bureau
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
An Garda Síochána
|
0
|
0
|
†
|
†
|
0
|
†
|
13
|
0
|
13
|
**This includes all prison grades, prison admin and civilian grades
*** Includes one person on a career break of over 5 years who is awaiting placement
† Denotes less than 10 - AGS do not release information on counts of less than 10 for data protection purposes
|
Dec-24
|
Asec
|
PO
|
AP
|
HEO
|
AO
|
EO
|
CO
|
Other
|
Total
|
|
Department of Justice & Agencies
|
0
|
0
|
8
|
5
|
16
|
13
|
17
|
0
|
59
|
|
Policing Authority
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
|
Legal Aid Board
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
7*
|
9
|
|
Irish Prison Service
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17**
|
17
|
|
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
6
|
|
Data Protection Commission
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
|
The Courts Service of Ireland
|
0
|
1
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
11
|
5
|
2***
|
24
|
|
Judicial Council
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Criminal Assets Bureau
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
An Garda Síochána
|
0
|
0
|
†
|
†
|
0
|
†
|
17
|
0
|
17
|
* One Managing Solicitor Grade II is currently on a career break of over 5 years, the Board are currently in the process of offering a position to this officer
** This includes all prison grades, prison admin and civilian grades.
*** Includes one person on a career break of over 6 years who is awaiting placement
† Denotes less than 10 - AGS do not release information on counts of less than 10 for data protection purposes.
