Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2023
55. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December 2022; how educational attainment levels have evolved in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14630/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOneLearning, the Civil Service Learning and Development Centre provides a facility for staff to record and log their continuous personal and professional development, previous training and educational qualifications. Currently, my Department does not collect data from staff on their qualifications or the level of qualifications that they have obtained prior to their recruitment or which they have self-funded.
My Department does however offer continued third level educational opportunities through its Advance Payment of Fees (APF) Scheme which aims to facilitate the Department in building appropriate skill and expertise levels, while supporting officers in self-development and life-long learning.
The APF Scheme is governed by the Department of Finance Circular 23/07 and applies to courses of study which are provided by recognised educational institutions or professional bodies and contribute to the business needs of this Department.
Through the APF Scheme, the Department supported and funded 42 staff to embark on new third level opportunities for the academic year 2022/2023. During 2022, my Department also provided continued support and funding to 22 learners on a range of third level academic undertakings and saw 23 staff successfully graduate with third level qualifications at the end of the 2022 academic year.
In line with our ethos of supporting learning and development, as well as in support of innovation, we will continue to offer as many opportunities as possible within the budget allocation to staff interested in pursuing third level education where the course is relevant to the business needs of the Department.
