Vol. 503 No. 3
287 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for Finance the reason term time was refused to four applicants (details supplied) at the office of the Revenue Commissioners Wexford tax district; if the matter will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9683/99]
A pilot scheme for term time working was introduced in Revenue in 1999. Revenue is one of the four Government Departments/offices participating in the pilot term time scheme, which provides for a period of ten or 13 weeks special unpaid leave during the summer months known as term time leave. Applicants for term time leave must (a) be serving in the Department/office in an established or unestablished position in a full-time capacity, and (b) have one or more children aged 17 or younger on 1 June 1999, or (c) be the primary carer of a person for the period of the term time of a person who resides with them and who has a disability of such a nature as to give rise to the need for care on a continuing or frequent basis.
The operation of the pilot scheme is subject to the operating requirements of participating Departments/offices not being adversely affected. Revenue in considering applications for term time leave was conscious of the need to balance operational requirements, in particular, the need to maintain a high standard of customer service in Wexford, with the wishes of staff to participate in the pilot scheme. Eight applications were received from the Wexford tax district to participate in the pilot scheme. Following careful consideration of the applications and the operational needs of the Wexford tax district, the four most senior applicants were approved for participation in the scheme.
It is intended to review the operation of the pilot term time scheme in Revenue and the other pilot Department/offices by the end of 1999.
