Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2013
240. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department pays for any of its employees to receive third level qualifications; if so, the annual cost for each of the past five years; if the employee will receive a financial bonus as a result of receiving this qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51379/13]
View answerMy Department places considerable emphasis on relevant skills development by staff at all levels. It offers on-going educational and training support for staff, in respect of particular 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 business related skills through a number of formal education programmes offered by third level Institutions.
The expenditure on third level courses for the period 1 January 2008 to date is as follows:
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
|
Year: |
Costs: € |
|
2008/2009 |
194,530 |
|
2009/2010 |
194,698 |
|
2010/2011 |
138,830 |
|
2011/2012 |
192,824 |
|
2012/2013 |
134,218 |
|
2013/2014 |
102,175 |
Met Éireann payments shown below are in respect of the calendar year.
Met Éireann
|
Year |
Costs € |
|
2008 |
17,530 |
|
2009 |
24,124 |
|
2010 |
22,813 |
|
2011 |
6,154 |
|
2012 |
7,040 |
|
2013 |
9,590 |
My Department does not offer any form of financial bonus or merit award as a result of receiving qualifications under the Refund of Educational Fees Scheme.
