Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010
» ...
»
Departmental Staff.
695 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of Civil Service staff in his Department; the number of these staff who hold an economics degree; the number of these staff who hold a postgraduate economics degree; the number of these staff who hold a PhD in economics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48309/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of civil service staff currently serving in my Department is 251.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department does not employ a professional economist. In relation to the number of general staff who hold an economics degree, postgraduate economics degree or PhD in economics, it is not possible to give a definitive answer, as there is no obligation on staff to disclose the nature of their qualifications unless specifically required in the context of a professional post. I can confirm to the Deputy, however, that my Department encourages its staff to develop their skills and expertise in line with the Performance Management Development System (PMDS) and, to date under that system, a number of staff have pursued courses and degrees of a financial/economic nature.
