Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of officials in his 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 his Department of paying these fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51364/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Approximately 150 officials at my Department receive recoupment of affiliation fees to professional bodies where it is essential in order for them to carry out their professional functions, or it is desirable in order that they can keep abreast of domestic and international developments in their particular field. The cost in 2012 was approximately €38,000.

No officials at my Department have sports clubs or any other club membership fees paid as part of their remuneration package. Civil Servants are subject to the Civil Service Code of Standards & Behaviour and under the terms of the Code a Civil Servant is not permitted to accept gifts such as the payment of membership fees. A copy of the Code can be viewed on the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform's website.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [51378/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Civil Servants are encouraged to pursue second and third level education during their own time in order to build and develop workplace skills, expertise and support officials in self development and life long learning.

In order to foster this in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform's circular notice E109/82/97, Government Departments are permitted to meet the cost or to refund fees where the course concerned leads to: a second or third level qualification; are provided by a recognised educational institution or professional body; and are related to the official's duties or broader Civil Service functions.

Officials do not receive additional remuneration on attaining such qualifications. Details of my Department's expenditure on refunding fees in the last five years are contained in the attached tabular statement.

Expenditure on Refund of Fees Scheme Department of Education and Skills 2008 to 2012