My Department is committed to promoting a culture of continuous learning and development and therefore offers financial assistance to staff pursuing a variety of courses under its refund of educational fees scheme. The vast majority of courses undertaken would fall into the categories of either public administration or legal studies. Such courses would have relevance across the Department. During the period in question, nine individuals received funding to attend the courses at Kings Inns identified by the Deputy. Five individuals received funding for the Diploma in Legal Studies and seven individuals received funding for the Barrister at Law Course (three of these had previously completed the Diploma in Legal Studies).
Constraints on expenditure have, however, had an impact on my Department's budget for training and development. Personal development takes place in a range of settings, both during and outside working hours and staff will continue to be supported in relevant learning activity that takes place outside of working hours through the refund of fees scheme. The Deputy will appreciate that, in light of diminished resources, it is no longer possible to support persons to the same number or at the same level of support as in previous years .