114 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of days taken off for trade union leave in his Department by civil servants in 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4647/10]

The Department of Finance Circular 14/80 allows for certain non full time representatives of staff associations/unions to avail of special leave with pay to attend annual delegate conferences, special delegate conferences etc. The number of such days special leave approved by my Department in the years in question are as follows:

2007: 6 days;

2008: 16 days;

2009: 18 days.

Also certain staff in my Department attend Departmental Council meetings to represent their respective staff association/union but it is not possible to quantify exactly the number of days involved. However, it is estimated that it would not exceed 5 days per annum in total which are not included in the above figures.