681. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an assurance that no civil servant has had their career break extended beyond five years where there is a suitable vacancy in their home Department or agency; that, where a civil servant has had their career break extended beyond five years on account of there being no suitable vacancy in their home Department or agency, they have been placed on a redeployment panel; that, where a civil servant has had their career break extended beyond six years, consideration has been given to facilitating them on a supernumerary basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46236/24]

I am assured that since the formation of this Department in 2020, no civil servant in this Department has had their career break extended beyond five years.  All staff that wished to return from a career break were offered a suitable vacancy.

Career breaks in this Department are managed under the terms of Circular 04/2013 - Career Breaks in the Civil Service.