Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 578: To ask the Minister for Transport the rates of overtime or additional allowances payable to staff who work in his Department's press office in respect of persons being on call and their additional attendance at work before or after normal hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29298/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The rates of overtime applicable to staff in my Department's press office are governed by Department of Finance circular 27/99. There are no additional allowances payable to staff in respect of persons being on call and their additional attendance at work before or after normal hours.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 579: To ask the Minister for Transport the [i]ex gratia[/i] payments made to staff in his Department's press office in respect of persons being on call and their additional attendance at work before or after normal hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29313/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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There have been no ex gratia payments made to staff in my Department's press office in respect of persons being on call and their additional attendance at work before or after normal hours.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 580: To ask the Minister for Transport the amount of compensatory leave granted or due to be granted to staff in his Department; the individuals to whom they were granted in respect of additional attendance at work before or after normal hours of attendance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29328/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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This Department operates a flexi-time working system, which allows the majority of staff to start work from 8 a.m. and to finish up to 7 p.m.

Requirement for compensatory leave, although it does arise, is exceptional. On those occasions, compensatory leave is dealt with by the individual and his or her line manager. Staff also work additional hours without compensatory leave.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 581: To ask the Minister for Transport if the personnel files of staff in his Department have been copied or given to external parties; if so, the safeguards which have been put in place to ensure that no personal data on any member of staff in his Department will be released to third parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29343/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The personnel files of staff in my Department have not been copied or given to external parties. My Department complies with the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act regarding disclosure of the personal data of staff members.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 582: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of staff in his Department to whom leave of absence, or any other absence from normal duties or place of work, in excess of two months was granted for educational purposes in any year since 2002; the nature of the educational course undertaken in each case; if there are terms or conditions relating to academic achievement attached to the granting of such leave; if personnel who were granted such leave failed to complete their courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29358/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Since June 2002, when the Department of Transport was established, three staff in my Department have been granted leave of absence in excess of two months for educational purposes. All three were participating on the master's programme in public policy analysis, which is a two-year, full-time programme run by the Institute of Public Administration. One person started in 2003 and completed the course this year. One started in 2004 and is currently in their second year and a third person started in 2005 and is currently in their first year. The terms and conditions attached to the granting of leave to participate on the programme are set out in the relevant Department of Finance circulars.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 583: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of staff who applied for a refund of course fees in respect of courses undertaken at night or evenings; the value of refunds expected to be made by his Department in 2005; the number of staff to whom approval to attend a course was granted in the last academic year but did not subsequently apply for the refund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29373/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In the current academic year, 32 members of staff from my Department submitted applications for a refund of evening and weekend course fees. The value of refunds expected to be made in 2005 is approximately €69,000. In the last academic year, 2004-05, a total of nine staff who were approved in principle to attend evening or weekend courses did not subsequently apply for a refund.