Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
179. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of money spent on an annual basis on education and training of staff in 2011 and to date in 2012; the number of staff that availed of each course; if he will provide a list of the courses staff undertook and the cost of each course per person. [38486/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade places a high priority on staff professional development and provides essential training programmes for staff in key areas such as management, communication and language skills, including Irish, and customer service. The Department also provides a comprehensive pre-posting training programme for officers in advance of taking up duty at Missions abroad. This includes modules on economic issues, trade promotion, public diplomacy and consular services. A contribution may also be made by the Department towards the cost of tuition fees incurred by staff members studying in their own time for certain qualifications relevant to the Department’s activities and objectives.
The achievement of value for money is a priority for the Department’s Training and Development Unit. Working within substantially reduced budgetary allocations since 2008, the Unit maximises the use of internal resources and limits to the greatest possible extent expenditure on professional external trainers. Video conferencing technology is also now widely used to include posted and locally employed staff at Missions in training courses. Little or no costs arise in the case of many training courses provided. This is also the case with regard to our Mentoring Programme which, launched on a pilot basis in 2010, is now being reviewed with a view to a wider roll-out.
It would be inordinately time-consuming to compile the requested detailed information for 2011 and 2012 to date. However, in order to be helpful to the Deputy I can advise that the Department’s total expenditure on training and development in 2011 was €483,435, representing a 55% reduction on the outturn for 2007. Expenditure totalling €294,892 has been incurred to date in the current year, from an overall budget of €547,500. The higher 2012 budget reflects the need for additional training relating to Ireland’s forthcoming EU Presidency, such as in foreign languages and in meeting chairmanship skills and negotiating skills.
