Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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283. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the protocol for attendance by staff, both civil servants and political non-civil servants, on 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, inclusive, and to date in 2017; the costs incurred by his Department for persons who 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. [46065/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Since the establishment of my Department in July 2011, Learning and Development (L&D), including Continuing Professional Development (CPD), has been an important element of our organisational learning culture.  It supports, in particular, staff membership of professional bodies, attendance at seminars and conferences and the development of skills in conjunction with professional organisations.

Aligned with the strategic business needs of the Department, L&D requirements, including CPD, are informed by individual staff L&D plans under the auspices of the Performance Management Development System (ePMDS).  This is complemented, furthermore, by engagement with key stakeholders including the Management Board, senior management and divisional business planning meetings.  The diversity of courses undertaken reflects the broad range of functions undertaken by my Department.

Outlined below, in tabular format, is the relevant information requested by the Deputy.