Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Education and Science

Departmental Staff

9:00 pm

Photo of George LeeGeorge Lee (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1008: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of Civil Service staff in his Department; the number of these staff who hold an economics degree; the number of these staff who hold a postgraduate economics degree; the number of these staff who hold a PhD in economics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48311/09]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The number of staff employed in my Department is 1359 (1271.13 whole time equivalent). As well as all administrative staff, these figures include non-administrative/professional grades e.g. staff of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and of the Inspectorate.

My Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, requires that all professional and technical staff recruited into my Department have the necessary qualifications and experience for the posts concerned and these are specified for individual competitions. In addition, many of the administrative staff in my Department hold qualifications in a wide range of subjects but our human resources records do not hold information in a way that would readily identify those staff who hold an economics degree, a post graduate economics degree or a PhD in economics.

The Training Unit in my Department, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Department of Finance Circular 23/07: Post- Entry Education – Refund of Fees, Study Leave and Examination Leave, operates schemes to provide financial assistance to officials who undertake courses in higher or further education, primarily in their own time, which support and enhance their knowledge and skills. The object of the schemes is to encourage staff to undertake study with a view to developing a diverse set of core skills appropriate to their role within the Department and to employment across the Department and the broader Civil Service. Since 2003, one staff member has completed the UCD PhD in Economics and Sociology and eight staff have completed or are currently participating in the IPA/UCD Master of Economic Science (Policy Analysis) Programme.

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