In response to the Deputy's question the table following outlines the number of civil servants who have been reinstated following a career break in my Department and the bodies under my aegis.
-
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
Public Appointments Service
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
Special EU Programmes Body
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Office of the Ombudsman
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
Valuation Office
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
State Lab
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
The Office of Public Works
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
The terms of the Career Break Scheme for civil servants are set out in Circular 04/2013. The return to work provisions of the scheme are set out in paragraphs 31-34. At the end of a career break a civil servant must either return to work, resign or if applicable request an extension to their career break. The maximum period of a career break is five years or twelve years aggregate over three career breaks. While on career break a civil servant retains their status as a civil servant. The return to work provision only applies to civil servants that were granted a career break in accordance with the scheme.