Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2013
156. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of officials in her Department who receive the cost of club membership fees, including sports clubs and professional bodies, as part of their contract of employment; the total cost per year to her Department of paying such fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51371/13]
View answerAs part of their contract of employment, the Department pays the cost of professional bodies’ fees for persons employed in the Department as medical and accounting professionals. The payment of these fees is based on the contractual requirement to maintain full registration with the relevant professional accredited body, e.g., the Irish Medical Council and Chartered Accountants of Ireland, while holding their appointment within the Department.
In addition, the Department also finances the cost of professional accreditation fees where the area of accreditation is directly related to the business role of staff within the Department, e.g., Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors, Chartered Institute of Personal Development.
The total cost of payments to professional bodies in 2013, in respect of 81 members of staff, amounts to €23,566.
The Department does not pay membership fees to any sports clubs or other such organisations on behalf of any of its employees.
