My Department has not seconded any employees to the university third level sector over the past two years. Secondments in my Department are managed in line with the DPER Secondment Policy for the Civil Service 2021 and guideline’s and procedures governing secondments between civil and public service organisations Secondments provide staff members with opportunities to broaden their skills and continue their professional and personal development while retaining the right to return to their substantive or equivalent position at the end of the secondment. It also provides an opportunity for the Department to fill a temporary position, and the Department benefits from shared learning, good practice, new ideas and experience.