Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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943. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the details of all overseas training and development courses provided to staff of his Department and the Health Service Executive, and funded by the State, for the years 2011 and 2012; the names of each course; the number of officials who attended; the cost per head; the overall cost; and the same details for those courses provided domestically and costing more than €5,000 per head; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26885/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Details of all funded overseas training and development courses provided to staff in my Department for 2011 and 2012, including courses in excess of €5,000 provided domestically are set out in the following table. The figures for Domestic fees in 2011 and 2012 are in respect of the 'refund of fees' scheme in my Department whereby staff partake in a programme during the academic year in their own time.

It is essential that senior Officials in my Department take part in training courses and programmes so they can manage more effectively the numerous challenges which face my Department and our Health System now and into the future. Senior managers who attend such programmes are positioned in important areas where it is necessary to be equipped with the skills and knowledge required for high level leadership, negotiation, policy making and decision making. This modest investment pays dividends in the medium and long term, with the main beneficiary being our Health System.