330 civil servants out on career breaks

Almost 330 staff in government departments are on career breaks — a third of them for more than three years — according to figures released in response to parliamentary questions.

The figures show that more than 20 civil servants have been on breaks for over five years, even though the Department of Finance states that a career break is special leave without pay, which should be not less than six months and not more than five years.

In two departments alone, Justice and Social Protection, there are more than 65 civil servants on unpaid long-term leave each.