asked the Minister for the Public Service the time allowed off to civil servants who, in their own time, attend various educational courses conducted by the universities, regional technical colleges and vocational education committees.
Written Answers. - Civil Servants' Educational Courses.
155.
Civil servants who pursue educational courses outside normal working hours are allowed special leave with pay to take the course examination. In addition they may be granted special leave without pay for study purposes prior to the examination.
156.
asked the Minister for the Public Service if the State will pay the course fee of civil servants who, in their own time, attend various courses in regional technical colleges and the Institute of Public Administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Civil servants who, outside normal working hours, attend educational courses likely to be of benefit to them in carrying out their official duties may be refunded the course and examination fees, subject to certain conditions agreed with the staff side under the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the civil service.
157.
asked the Minister for the Public Service if it is intended to grant special leave of absence to civil servants who, in their private capacities, are accepted for stagiaire traineeships with the EEC Commission in Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Applications for leave of absence for the purpose referred to will be considered on an individual basis in the light of the particular circumstances of each case.
158.
asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will grant special leave with pay to civil servants who, in their private capacities, are accepted for the two-year course in social science being conducted by the National Institute of Higher Education, Limerick.
Special leave with pay for the purpose of pursuing a third level course of education is not allowed to civil servants unless, among other things, the course would result in a direct benefit to the applicant in carrying out his official duties, sufficient to justify the cost. Each application for such leave has of necessity to be considered on its merits.