Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2013
282. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department is paying 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. [51383/13]
View answerMy Department is committed to supporting a continuous learning and development environment in which staff are presented with opportunities to improve their skills and qualifications so as to better equip them to make a positive and dynamic contribution to the business needs of the Department. Financial assistance is offered to staff pursuing a variety of courses in accordance with the provisions of Department of Finance circular 23/07: Post-Entry Education. Applications are considered with reference to the following criteria: relevance and significance of the course to the applicant's role and to the work of the Department; the number of applications received; the overall cost; and previous investment, by the Department, in the applicant’s education and development. My Department does not sanction any additional payments to staff who gain a third-level qualification under the scheme. The annual investment in staff under the scheme for each of the past 5 years is set out in the table.
|
Year |
Spend on third-level qualifications taken by staff € |
|
2009 |
379,457 |
|
2010 |
360,324 |
|
2011 |
308,715 |
|
2012 |
205,058 |
|
2013 (to date) |
152,094 |
My Department will, as far as possible, continue to provide support for the continuous professional development of staff. However the Deputy will appreciate that reductions in public expenditure, necessary to restore our country's fiscal position, have impacted on the level of support that my Department can provide to individuals pursuing a third-level (or higher) qualification.
