Summary: HSE employees with a minimum of 3 years’ continuous service may apply for a career break of between 3 months and 5 years. A career break is unpaid, but your job is protected and you retain the right to return to a position at your grade on completion.

If you are thinking about taking time out from your HSE career — whether to travel, pursue education, care for family, or explore other opportunities — this guide explains everything you need to know about the HSE career break scheme.

What Is a Career Break?

A career break is an extended period of unpaid leave that allows an HSE employee to take time away from work while retaining the right to return to employment at the same grade. It differs from ordinary unpaid leave in that it is specifically designed for longer-term absences.

Career breaks are granted at the discretion of the employer — unlike statutory leave entitlements, a career break is not an automatic right. Your application may be refused if the operational needs of your unit or department cannot accommodate your absence.

Who Can Apply for a Career Break?

To be eligible to apply for a career break, you must:

Have at least 3 years of continuous service with the HSE (or its predecessor health boards)
Be employed on a permanent contract
Have completed any probationary period

Staff on temporary or fixed-term contracts are generally not eligible for a career break.

How Long Can a Career Break Be?

Minimum Duration	Maximum Duration
3 months	5 years

In practice, career breaks are often taken for 1–3 years. Multiple career breaks may be taken during a career, subject to a minimum of 3 years’ service between each break.

Is a Career Break Paid?

No. A career break is entirely unpaid. You will not receive any salary or benefits from the HSE during a career break.

You may be able to:

Work in another sector or country during your career break (subject to certain restrictions — see below)
Claim social welfare if eligible
Pursue further education

What Can You Do During a Career Break?

During a career break, you may:

Travel
Pursue full-time education or training
Care for family members
Explore other career opportunities in the private sector

Restrictions

You cannot work for another public sector body or in a role that conflicts with your HSE position without prior approval
You should notify the HSE if you intend to take up employment during your career break
Working in direct competition with the HSE’s interests may affect your return rights

Impact on Pension and Service

A career break is treated as a break in service for most purposes:

Annual leave does not accrue during a career break
Pensionable service does not accumulate unless you make additional voluntary contributions
Your seniority is generally retained up to the date the career break commenced
The period of the career break does not count towards increments, long service leave, or other service-based entitlements

Contact the HSE Pension Section before commencing your career break to understand the full pension implications and whether you can purchase the break as notional service.

Your Right to Return

On completing a career break, you have the right to return to:

Your same post, if it is still available, or
Another post at the same grade if your original position no longer exists

The HSE is required to facilitate your return, but this does not guarantee return to your exact original location or unit. You may be placed in a different hospital or location at the same grade.

Notifying Your Return

You must give the HSE adequate notice of your intention to return — typically at least 3 months’ notice for career breaks of 1 year or longer. Check your career break agreement for the specific notice requirement.

Failure to give adequate notice may affect your return rights.

How to Apply for a Career Break

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Confirm you have at least 3 years’ continuous service on a permanent contract.

Step 2: Discuss With Your Manager

Before formally applying, have an informal discussion with your line manager about your plans. This gives them time to plan for your absence.

Step 3: Submit a Formal Application

Complete the HSE Career Break application form (available from your HR department or HRPOL) and submit it to your manager or HR. The form should include:

Proposed start and end date
Reason for the career break (optional in some cases)
Confirmation of your right-to-return arrangements

Applications should be submitted at least 3 months before the proposed start date.

Step 4: Await Decision

Your application will be reviewed by management and HR. You will receive a written decision. If approved, you will receive a career break agreement letter setting out the terms, including your notice period for return.

Step 5: Confirm Arrangements Before Departure

Before you leave:

Ensure your pension implications are understood
Confirm payroll arrangements (final pay, holiday pay owed)
Agree a handover plan with your manager

Career Break and Increments

Time spent on a career break does not count towards incremental progression on the HSE pay scale. When you return, your increment date may be adjusted to reflect the period of absence.

Career Break and Registration/Licensing

For nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, and other regulated professions, a career break does not suspend your professional registration, but you remain responsible for:

Maintaining NMBI/CORU/other regulatory body registration and paying fees
Completing any required continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain your registration
Notifying your regulatory body if you are not practising

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my career break application be refused? Yes. A career break is not a statutory right and can be refused on operational grounds. However, the HSE should consider all applications fairly and give reasons for any refusal.

Can I return early from a career break? You may request to return early, but the HSE is not obliged to accommodate an early return unless your career break agreement provides for it. Discuss this with HR as early as possible.

What happens if I don’t return after my career break? If you do not return at the agreed time and do not give the required notice of return, you may be deemed to have resigned from your post.

Can I apply for a second career break? Yes, provided you have completed at least 3 years of continuous service since your previous career break ended.

Does a career break affect my long service increment (LSI)? Yes. The career break period does not count towards the service required for an LSI.

Can I work in a private hospital while on a career break from the HSE? Generally yes, but you should notify the HSE and ensure there is no conflict of interest. Working for a direct competitor or using confidential HSE information could jeopardise your return rights.

Useful Contacts

HSE HR Helpdesk: Your local HR Business Partner
HSE Pension Section: Contact through your payroll department
Citizens Information: citizensinformation.ie

This guide is based on HSE HR Circular provisions governing career breaks as of 2026. As career breaks are discretionary, the specific terms and conditions may vary by grade and location. Always obtain a written career break agreement from your employer before commencing leave.

HSE Career Break Policy Ireland 2026: Full Guide for HSE Employees