asked the Minister for the Public Service if paid leave not exceeding two weeks in any year may be granted to civil servants who are engaged in youth work when annual camping holidays and visits to the continent, etc. are being undertaken with youth groups.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Servants' Youth Work.
165.
Because of the number and variety of applications for special leave, it is not possible to grant paid special leave except where the absence is directly connected with the officer's duties, or training with the FCA or on compassionate grounds. I regret, therefore, that it would not be possible to allow such leave in the instance mentioned by the Deputy.
Did the Minister say that leave is granted for FCA training?
Yes.
Would the Minister not consider that the voluntary effort which many people in the Civil Service are contributing towards youth work is of vital importance? Is the Minister aware that these people are giving up their own time freely to help young people, and would he take a particular look at that aspect of it?
In an organisation the size of the Civil Service it is inevitable that applications will be received for leave of absence for many purposes, including many laudable purposes, bearing on issues of philantrophy, culture, national prestige, humanitarian work, missionary work, just to mention a few. The number and variety of these applications have been such that the general practice has been adopted down through the years of not allowing leave at State expense except where the absence is directly connected with an officer's duties, or on compassionate grounds in respect of the death of a near relative. Any other approach could not be justified to the general body of taxpayers. Where an application, although not directly related to the officer's official duties, has special merit in it, the practice is to allow special leave without pay, or special leave with pay, subject to recoupment of the officer's salary, plus a payment in respect of superannuation. This is a good rule and one which fairly allows people who want to devote extra time to philantrophic purposes to do so in a way which does not mean that the cost has to be carried by the ordinary taxpayer.
Has the Minister got the number of applications in respect of youth work?
The general service are aware of the rules which apply and, accordingly, the number of applications for leave with pay in recent times is comparatively few. The general fairness of these rules has been observed and respected.