Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 June 2013
241. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of staff in her Department who availed of study or training leave in 2012; the average duration of such leave; if all staff availing of this leave received full pay and benefits during the time; the number who will do so in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31233/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe granting of study leave in the Civil Service is governed under Circular 23/2007, which sets out the arrangements to facilitate the development of appropriate skill and expertise levels in Departments' and in supporting officers' efforts in the area of self-development and life-long learning. Consistent with Civil Service strategic management objectives, the approach of the circular is to maximise the discretion available to Departments in addressing post-entry education matters in ways that are most relevant to their own areas of responsibility and this includes provision for paid and unpaid study leave. During 2012, three people availed of paid study leave totalling 7.5 days. Due to timing of the academic year it is difficult to accurately estimate the numbers availing of paid study leave during 2013 at this stage.
My Department is committed to providing staff with training and development opportunities to ensure they have the skills necessary to deliver strategic objectives and this involves the use of a variety of training approaches, both formal and informal (e.g. coaching; on-the job training) and formal training sessions (e.g. IT skills). This would also include attendance at conferences, information sessions etc. The nature of this training does not lend itself to easy recording of time spent on it and as it is not considered as 'leave' my Department does not centrally record all of it. As a result, the information requested by the Deputy in relation to training leave is not available.
