Career break

You must notify your employer that you are returning to work, at least three months before your career break is due to expire. 
 
If a suitable vacancy does not exist when your career break ends, you are guaranteed re-employment in the same grade within twelve months, 

An employee may be assigned to a different location upon their return from career break Alternatively, if no suitable employment is available. an unpaid period of up to twelve months could follow the end of the career break.  

The maximum period which you can spend on a career break is five years.  However, you can commence a career break for a period of one or two years with the facility to extend it until the five- year maximum is reached. 

The Career Break Scheme states that if a suitable vacancy does not exist when your career break ends, you are guaranteed re-employment in the same grade within twelve months,  
  
An employee may be assigned to a different location upon their return from career break. Alternatively, if no suitable employment is available. an unpaid period of up to twelve months could follow the end of the career break.   

All permanent grades of nurse/midwife employed in the public health service are entitled to apply for a career break. 

You can extend your career break until you reach the five-year maximum.  Your employer must be notified that you are seeking an extension to your career break at least three months before your career break is due to expire. 

While on a career break you are not permitted to work for another employer within the Irish state. 

An employee who breaches this provision may have their employment terminated. 

Under the Career Break Scheme your employer may refuse to grant you a career break on the grounds that your post is essential to the organisation and that a replacement cannot be obtained. 

The Career Break Scheme states that if a suitable vacancy does not exist when your career break ends, you are guaranteed re-employment in the same grade within twelve months,  
   
An employee may be assigned to a different location upon their return from career break. Alternatively, if no suitable employment is available, an unpaid period of up to twelve months could follow the end of the career break.   

Within the public service, career breaks are usually only available for domestic purposes, educational purposes or travel abroad.