Number of APAs on long term leave
Dear European Parliament,
Under the right of access to documents in the EU treaties, as developed in Regulation 1049/2001, I am requesting documents which contain the following information:
The number of APAs on long-term leave (i.e. more than 2 months)
If possible, the number who are on leave due to stress/burnout
The average length of time an APA stays in the job, both in this mandate and last mandate.
Yours faithfully,
Siobhan Dillon
Our reference: 2026-0195
Dear Ms Dillon,
The European Parliament hereby acknowledges receipt of your message, which
was registered on April 28, 2026.
All applications for public access to documents are treated in compliance
with Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of 30 May 2001 regarding public access
to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents.
In accordance with the above-mentioned Regulation, your application will
be handled within 15 working days upon registration of your request.
Your personal data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU)
2018/1725 of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with
regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions,
bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data. A
detailed privacy statement is available [1]here.
The European Parliament reserves the right to ask for additional
information regarding your identity in order to verify compliance with
Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 and the European Parliament’s implementing
measures.
Your attention is drawn to the fact that you have lodged your application
via the AsktheEU.org website, which is a private website not officially
related to the European Parliament. Therefore, the European Parliament
cannot be held accountable for any technical issues or problems linked to
the use of this system.
In addition, please note that any personal data that you provide by using
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this private website. The European Parliament cannot be held responsible
for such disclosure. Should you need to communicate directly to Parliament
any personal data and would like to avoid public disclosure, you may do so
from your private email address by using the following functional mailbox
address: AccesDocs(at)europarl.europa.eu
Best regards,
TRANSPARENCY UNIT
European Parliament
Directorate-General for the Presidency
Directorate-General for Interinstitutional Affairs and Legislative
Coordination
[2][European Parliament request email]
[3]www.europarl.europa.eu/RegistreWeb
References
Visible links
1. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegistreW...
2. mailto:[European Parliament request email]
3. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegistreWeb
Our reference: 2026-0195
Dear Ms Dillon,
This concerns your request for public access to documents showing the
number of APAs on long-term leave (i.e. more than 2 months), the number of
APAs on leave due to stress/burnout and the average length that APAs are
employed by Parliament, for the current mandate and the previous one.
Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 only provides for the identification and
assessment of existing documents and not for the creation of new ones upon
request. Please be informed that no documents have been identified as
falling withing the scope of your request.
In particular, handling the part of your request relating to “the number
of APAs on long-term leave (i.e. more than 2 months) and the number of
APAs on leave due to stress/burnout”, would entail processing of medical
personal data, which is covered by medical secrecy, and such processing is
in principle prohibited.
Regarding the part of your request concerning “average length of an APA’s
employment”, please note that in general the minimum length of an APA
contract is 6 months and the maximum length is 5 years (from the beginning
until the end of the legislative term). Contracts for the same Member or
grouping of Members cannot be extended more than twice during a
parliamentary term.
On this basis, Parliament considers your application handled and the
procedure closed.
Best regards,
TRANSPARENCY UNIT
European Parliament
Directorate-General for the Presidency
Directorate-General for Interinstitutional Affairs and Legislative
Coordination
[1][European Parliament request email]
[2]www.europarl.europa.eu/RegistreWeb
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[European Parliament request email]
2. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegistreWeb
Dear European Parliament,
I did not request names of staff on leave/suffering from burnout, only numbers. As such, this request does not violate any privacy regulations/laws. Can you explain what you mean by "medical secrecy"? This is an FOI request, and I am aware that you could generate this information if you were willing to.
Yours faithfully,
Siobhan Dillon
Our reference: 2026-0195
Dear Ms Dillon,
This is in response to your follow-up query of 22 May 2026.
Please be informed that Regulation (EC) No1049/2001 applies to requests
for public access to specific documents held by the European Parliament,
within the meaning of Article 3(a) of Regulation (EC) 1049/2001, and not
to the provision of information. Moreover, the Regulation applies to
existing documents and Parliament does not have an obligation to create or
otherwise procure documents for the purposes of such requests.
Finally, please also note that medical certificates submitted by staff do
not indicate the reason of the sick leave.
Kind regards,
TRANSPARENCY UNIT
European Parliament
Directorate-General for the Presidency
Directorate-General for Interinstitutional Affairs and Legislative
Coordination
[1][European Parliament request email]
[2]www.europarl.europa.eu/RegistreWeb
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[European Parliament request email]
2. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegistreWeb