Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 681: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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. [29361/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In light of the scale of this query and the number of agencies involved, it has not been feasible for my Department to prepare a response in the time available. Accordingly, my Department will respond directly in writing to the Deputy with the information requested.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 682: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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. [29376/05]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 683: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proportion of his Department's training budget that is spent on refunds to staff in respect of night-time or weekend study courses; the list of all courses funded by his Department in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29391/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 683 together.

My Department makes refund of fees to members of staff in accordance with the provisions of Department of Finance circular 21/78. This provides for refunds to courses in the following areas: degrees of bachelor or master of arts or commerce; accountancy; business administration; business studies; computer science; economics; general management; industrial engineering, for engineers; law; personnel management, public administration; secretaryship, in the Institute of Chartered Secretaries; sociology; statistics; and systems analysis. The courses must be provided by a university or other educational institution or professional body; must lead to a third level qualification; must be accepted by this Department as relevant to the civil service employment of the officers attending them and must be pursued in the officers' own time.

In the case of my Department's head office and associated offices and agencies, approval for a refund of fees, amounting to €147,603, was granted in 107 cases in the 2004-2005 academic year. A refund has not yet been sought in two other cases.

In addition to the amount paid under the refund of fees scheme the Department also provides in-house training and arranges developmental training specific to its requirements.

The other information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

This refers to the head office of the Department plus associated offices and agencies.