My Department places considerable emphasis on relevant skills development by staff at all levels. It offers on-going training programmes for staff, based on business requirements identified through the business planning mechanism and the performance management development system. Under the Refund of Educational Fees Scheme, which operates on an annual basis, staff members can develop specific critical skills through a number of formal education programmes offered by 3rd level institutions.
In accordance with the provisions of Department of Finance Circular 23/2007, staff pursuing appropriate courses may avail of paid study leave. In 2012, 45 staff availed of such leave with an average duration of 1.94 days. To date in 2013, 22 staff have availed of study leave with an average duration of 1.75 days. In addition to the formal courses outlined above there are a number of short-term external and in-house training sessions provided for staff, which are held during business hours.