517. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of civil servants, by grade, in her Department who were on a career break in 2023 and 2024; the number of those who in 2023 and 2024 were on a career break of five years or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44312/24]

Under the terms of Circular 04/2013 - Career Breaks in the Civil Service the number of officers on Career Break in my Department in 2023 was 11 and in 2024 was 6. None of these career breaks exceeded 5 years. The tables below outline details of these career breaks, including by grade.