Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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207. To ask the Minister for Finance the protocol for attendance by staff both civil servants and political non-civil servants to continuing professional development programmes and courses; the number of staff both civil servants and political non-civil servants in his Department that participated in such programmes on an annual basis in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the costs incurred by his Department for persons that participated in these courses; the providers of all such courses; the subject areas of all courses and programmes provided, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46060/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The protocol for attendance by staff to continuing professional development (CPD) programmes and courses, is a matter for each individual staff member to manage based on their specific requirements for their profession.  In this Department, staff attend a wide range of talks and workshops which can be utilised for CPD purposes. Membership of professional organisations is a matter for the individual staff member.

For the purposes of keeping a record of learning undertaking, the Department does not differentiate between courses for CPD or learning relating to a particular role in the Department.

The Department of Finance supports all learning which assists in the achievement of our objectives in line with the Partnership Programme for Government. 

The Department's Learning Strategy utilises the 70:20:10 Model of learning which identifies that only 10% of learning occurs in formalised settings, 20% is completed via coaching and mentoring type activities, while 70% of learning happens on-the-job.

In 2017, to the end of October, the Department has supported 115 training sessions with 905 (cumulative total) staff attending. In addition, the Department supports staff attending academic courses through the Refund of Fees Scheme (Certificate to PhD courses) where staff engage in academic learning mainly in their own time.

The Department delivers accredited in-house developed learning initiatives including the Diploma in Project Management with the National College of Ireland (special purpose award Level 8 on QQI), and the Project Management Institute of Ireland, and a Professional Diploma in Financial Services with the Institute of Banking/UCD (special purpose award Level 9 on QQI). In 2018, the Department will increase the offerings to include a Certificate in Economics with the IPA and a Professional Diploma in Tax Policy and Practice with the Irish Taxation Institute.

The Department offers Self-Awareness assessments and Leadership training. Some 66 staff have completed a self awareness assessment with the Predictive Index (PI), which is available to all staff and which looks to raise awareness of one’s self.  Some 170 staff attended Being an Engagement Leader - Unconscious Bias training in 2017. Three further training dates are being rolled out in Q1 2018 in relation to the Unconscious Bias training.

In relation to the 20% element of the Learning Model, staff are given the opportunity to act as mentors and mentees and this learning initiative is offered to all staff of the Department to assist with growing and delivering high performance within the Department. The Senior Management Team are also offered coaching through the Senior Public Service initiative (DPER).

The Department was recognised as the "Best Learning and Development Organisation- Medium Category" in 2017 by the Irish Institute of Training and Development. This award recognises the learning culture in the Department and the opportunities given to staff to learn, develop and stretch their abilities as well as Senior Management's drive to support the learning culture throughout the organisation.

The data as it relates to continuous professional development programmes between 2011 and 2017 is in the table.  The table also includes the total numbers of professional membership held by staff in the Department since 2011.  Please note that this is not a complete list of all the training undertaken in the Department during this time, only that which relates to CPD.  Please also note that the Department split into the Department of Finance and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in 2011.

Professional Courses and Courses Funded through The Refund of Fees Scheme 2015-2016

Professional Courses and Courses Funded through The Refund of Fees Scheme 2014-2015

Professional Courses and Courses Funded through The Refund of Fees Scheme 2013-2014

Professional Courses and Courses Funded through The Refund of Fees Scheme 2012-2013

Professional Courses and Courses Funded through The Refund of Fees Scheme 2011-2012