Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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156. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of officials in her Department who 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 such fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51371/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As part of their contract of employment, the Department pays the cost of professional bodies’ fees for persons employed in the Department as medical and accounting professionals. The payment of these fees is based on the contractual requirement to maintain full registration with the relevant professional accredited body, e.g., the Irish Medical Council and Chartered Accountants of Ireland, while holding their appointment within the Department.

In addition, the Department also finances the cost of professional accreditation fees where the area of accreditation is directly related to the business role of staff within the Department, e.g., Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors, Chartered Institute of Personal Development.

The total cost of payments to professional bodies in 2013, in respect of 81 members of staff, amounts to €23,566.

The Department does not pay membership fees to any sports clubs or other such organisations on behalf of any of its employees.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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157. To ask the Minister for Social Protection 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. [51385/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In line with its Learning and Development Strategy 2013-2015, the Department promotes a learning culture where it provides staff and management with learning and development opportunities both internally and externally, including supports to attain third level qualifications.

Participation in third level programmes is supported through refunding fees paid by staff undertaking these courses. The areas of study which are funded reflect the Department’s current and future business needs. No financial bonus is paid to recipients on achievement of the relevant qualification.

The table below sets out details of total payments and numbers of recipients in respect of third-level fees paid by the Department in each academic year from 2008/09 to 2012/13: