Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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375. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of officials in her Department that are receiving the cost of club membership fees, including sports clubs and professional bodies, as part of their contract of employment; the total cost per year to her Department of paying these fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51362/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In order to meet continuing professional development requirements some professional bodies require payment of membership fees. In 2013 my Department paid €1,185 towards professional memberships fees for four employees covering the fields of accountancy and social work.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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376. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department is paying for any of its employees to receive third-level qualifications; if so, the annual cost for each of the past five years; if the employee will receive a financial bonus as a result of receiving this qualification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51376/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The provision of payment of third level fees in the civil service is governed under Circular 23/2007 which sets out the arrangements to facilitate the development of appropriate skill and expertise levels in Departments and in supporting officers efforts in the area of self-development and life-long learning.

As my Department was established in June 2011 I am not in a position to provide details prior to this as commitments made to employees would have been paid by previous relevant Departments.

At end December 2012 my Department paid €21,215 towards employees receiving third-level qualifications. No employee in my Department will receive a financial bonus as a result of receiving these qualifications.