My Department places considerable emphasis on relevant skills development by staff at all levels. It offers on-going educational and training support for staff, in respect of particular business requirements identified through the business planning mechanism and the Performance Management Development System. Under the Refund of Educational Fees Scheme, which operates on an annual basis, staff members can develop specific business related skills through a number of formal education programmes offered by third level Institutions.
The expenditure on third level courses for the period 1 January 2008 to date is as follows:
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
Year:
|
Costs:
€
|
2008/2009
|
194,530
|
2009/2010
|
194,698
|
2010/2011
|
138,830
|
2011/2012
|
192,824
|
2012/2013
|
134,218
|
2013/2014
|
102,175
|
Met Éireann payments shown below are in respect of the calendar year.
Met Éireann
Year
|
Costs €
|
2008
|
17,530
|
2009
|
24,124
|
2010
|
22,813
|
2011
|
6,154
|
2012
|
7,040
|
2013
|
9,590
|
My Department does not offer any form of financial bonus or merit award as a result of receiving qualifications under the Refund of Educational Fees Scheme.