Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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368. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of the training and development and incidental expenses incurred by his Department in the year ending 31 December 2017. [22142/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Health’s Learning and Development Strategy 2016-2018 was developed as part of the Working Better Together Change Programme. It is the intention of the Strategy that all staff at the Department are provided with the opportunity to develop and achieve their full potential. Ultimately, the Strategy aims to support the Department's role in enabling an organisational environment where, on an ongoing basis, high performance is achieved, and the knowledge and skills of staff are developed.

In the context of the Strategy, total expenditure on Learning and Development activities for 2017 is set out in the following table on a quarter by quarter basis.

Expenditure includes: cost of training; seminar and conference fees; and professional membership fees.

Total incidental costs for 2017 comprised €940 relating to room hire.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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369. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of the travel and subsistence expenses incurred by his Department in the year ending 31 December 2017. [22158/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The travel and subsistence incurred by my Department for the year ended 31 December 2017 are:

The Non EU Travel figure relates travel and subsistence expenses incurred in the conduct of Departmental business outside of the state that was not connected to the EU or EU related bodies.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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370. To ask the Minister for Health the consultancy services, value for money and policy review expenses incurred by his Department in the year ending 31 December 2017. [22174/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The specific information requested by the Deputy is not routinely available within my Department. Expenditure on the engagement of consultants is paid from the Department's A7 budget. It is the policy of my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where it is felt appropriate and cost-effective, taking account of Government decisions and policy including procurement protocols on the matter.

A7 payment details for 2017 are set out in the following table.