Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2013
399. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his Department and the Health Service Executive 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. [51357/13]
View answerMy Department operates a scheme for the refund of fees in respect of post-entry education in accordance with the relevant Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circular 23/2007. Fees in respect of specialised courses or third level degrees or similar programmes are only paid or refunded where the course of study is relevant to the officers civil service employment or leads to a recognised qualification which is of benefit to them in the performance of their duties and in the case of third level qualifications are pursued primarily in the officer's own time.
It is essential that officials in my Department take part in training courses and programmes so that they can manage more effectively the numerous challenges which face my Department and our Health System now and into the future. This refund of fees scheme is an integral and essential part of the Department's overall training programme for its management and staff. Staff in my Department who avail of this scheme do not receive a financial bonus as a result of acquiring a qualification from the course of study undertaken.
The annual cost to the Department in respect of such payments for each of the past five years is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Cost |
|
2009 |
€66,669 |
|
2010 |
€78,498 |
|
2011 |
€98,577 |
|
2012 |
€52,723 |
|
2013 |
€43,878 |
The Health Service Executive has been requested to reply directly to the Deputy.
