Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the training which has been introduced and implemented at the behest and under the authority of his Department in respect of obligations for city and county managers and their staff; and if any such training is regularly maintained and checked. [21490/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Local authorities are primarily responsible for all matters related to the training of their employees. The Local Government Management Services Board, in co-operation with the Department, also provides advice and guidance to local authorities on their training needs and promotes the delivery of training for staff in a wide range of areas, including management development, social inclusion and the operation of special policy committees.

The Department currently provides financial support for specific training interventions in areas such as performance management, workplace partnership, architectural conservation and a number of courses leading to academic qualifications. Training, much of which is certified by FÁS, is also provided through five regional training centres for employees involved in the management and maintenance of water services and the non-national road network. The majority of programmes and courses are delivered through third level institutions or by other recognised training organisations. This ensures the quality of the programmes and their ongoing evaluation.