Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

399. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department and the Health Service Executive 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [51357/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department operates a scheme for the refund of fees in respect of post-entry education in accordance with the relevant Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circular 23/2007. Fees in respect of specialised courses or third level degrees or similar programmes are only paid or refunded where the course of study is relevant to the officers civil service employment or leads to a recognised qualification which is of benefit to them in the performance of their duties and in the case of third level qualifications are pursued primarily in the officer's own time.

It is essential that officials in my Department take part in training courses and programmes so that they can manage more effectively the numerous challenges which face my Department and our Health System now and into the future. This refund of fees scheme is an integral and essential part of the Department's overall training programme for its management and staff. Staff in my Department who avail of this scheme do not receive a financial bonus as a result of acquiring a qualification from the course of study undertaken.

The annual cost to the Department in respect of such payments for each of the past five years is set out in the following table:

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

400. To ask the Minister for Health the number of officials in his Department and in the Health Service Executive 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 his Department and the HSE of paying these fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51358/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Officials in my Department do not receive club membership fees, including sports clubs. Payment of professional membership fees are made where it is required for a specialised profession in my Department. Membership of a professional body can be regarded as relevant to the business of my Department where it facilitates the acquisition of knowledge which is necessary for the duties of a role, or directly related to the performance of the staff's present or prospective duties in the Department. A sum of €6,986 was paid in 2013 for professional fees in respect of eleven officials in my Department. The Health Service Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.