Bríd Smith
Ceist:424. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42703/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 10 December 2020
Ceisteanna (424)
Freagraí scríofa
Professional Fees are paid by staff members themselves and the reimbursed by the Department of Health, where appropriate. This occurs where staff in the Department require membership of a recognised body to enable them to discharge their functions within the Department. This can be areas such as medicine, human resources or finance. Staff must complete a claim form, with evidence of the payment of the membership fee. This is then reviewed and approved for payment by their line manager. This requires further approval by the learning and development unit before reimbursement is requested from the Accounts Unit.
In 2020 so far, there were 20 memberships reimbursed to staff in relation to medical bodies, mainly to the Royal College of Physicians Ireland but also to the Faculty of Public Health and Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. This was on behalf of the practitioners currently working in the Department either on a permanent or secondment basis. These 20 memberships came to €8,439 in 2020 to date.
In 2020 so far, there were 7 memberships reimbursed to staff in relation to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development on behalf of staff working in human resources or learning and development. These 7 memberships came to €926 in 2020 to date.
In 2020 so far, there were 6 memberships reimbursed to staff in relation to various accountancy bodies on behalf of staff in the Department. These 6 memberships came to €3,093 in 2020 to date.
In 2020 so far, there were 3 memberships reimbursed to staff for miscellaneous other bodies, including the Law Society. These 3 memberships came to €264 in 2020 to date.
These individual membership reimbursements for 2020 come to €12,723
In 2020 so far the Department has paid 4 corporate membership fees to enable multiple staff to access resources. These were:
Irish Management Institute - €6,995
Institute of Public Administration (Governance Forum) - €4,500
Guidelines International - €2,995
Irish Institute of Training and Development - €625