Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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178. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 222 of 28 March 2017, his definition of a suitable amount of time to train up a new staff member (details supplied). [17193/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Department offers a range of training opportunities to staff dependent upon grade and function. The ‘One DSP curriculum’ offers training to staff in various roles including deciding officer, case officer, social welfare inspectors, designated persons and managers in Intreo centres. Undertaking the full suite of training for deciding officers, for example, includes up to 11 classroom days and additional e-learning modules. This training is offered in modular format and completing the full suite of training may take a number of months. Further, informal peer-to-peer coaching is arranged locally. The Department has partnered with the National College of Ireland to develop programmes on the National Framework of Qualifications built upon this curriculum.

The Department also provides IT systems training and management/leadership training for staff in managerial roles.

There is no definitive time period associated with the training of new staff. It is very much dependent on the area of work and the training needs associated with same.

The business needs of the Department and the timely and efficient services and payments to customers are paramount when decisions are made regarding the release of experienced staff. All transfer lists are dealt with in order of the date that a staff member applied to be considered.