asked the Minister for the Public Service the number of staff recruited by the Civil Service Commission on foot of participation by existing staff in career breaks and job sharing.

Figures relating to these schemes are compiled on a quarterly basis. The most recent figures available show that as at 31 October 1984, 414 staff had been granted career breaks and 86 staff, equating to 43 posts, had begun job-sharing. The 457 vacancies arising have been or are being filled through recruitment by the Civil Service Commission.

Is it normal practice to automatically replace all people on career breaks?

Yes.

Does that not mean that it will be difficult to reduce the size of the public sector?

The scheme provides that when a person opts for a career break their post is filled. The introduction of the scheme is two fold: to allow people mobility to test out some other aspect of life outside the Civil Service and also to provide employment opportunities. The overall size of the Civil Service remains unchanged because in the vast majority of cases those who opt for a career break or job sharing would not have done so if they could not if they so desired come back into the Civil Service at some future time. When they indicate their intention to return, if there is a vacancy they will be taken in at the grade at which they left; but otherwise they will be taken in at the next lowest grade. They would then wait to fill a post which falls vacant at the appropriate level. The overall size of the Civil Service will not be increased.

The purpose of the scheme, which I welcome, is not so much to tackle the size of the public service as to enable existing members gain outside experience. It has nothing to do with curtailing the size of the public service.

No.