Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Education and Science

Third Level Fees

11:00 pm

Photo of Ivor CallelyIvor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 462: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the support her Department offers civil servants working in her Department who undertake further education by way of college or university courses; the level of financial assistance which is available; if the same financial assistance towards college or university fees is made to all civil servants by the relevant Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11752/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Department of Finance circular 21/78 governs refund of fees in respect of courses pursued in an officer's own time. Officers pursuing approved courses that are relevant to their Civil Service employment may have the appropriate course and examination fees refunded to them.

The refund is usually made at the end of each completed academic year or corresponding course period, where it is established, normally by written statement from the institution providing the course, that the officer's attendance at the course was satisfactory, or participated satisfactorily in the course, if it is a correspondence course, during the academic year-period and underwent the relevant examinations or other prescribed tests. My Department has, to date, been in a position to recoup 100% of fees for approved courses. My Department recognises the importance of training and developing its staff and seeks to promote a learning and development culture within the organisation. The Department has a pilot scheme in place for the advance payment of fees for post graduate studies undertaken in the officer's own time and of particular relevance to the Department.

Each officer to whom a payment is made is required to undertake, in writing, to refund the payment in the event of leaving the public service before completing one year's service in respect of each academic year or course period for which a payment has been made.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.