Written answers

Thursday, 6 December 2018

Department of Finance

Departmental Staff Data

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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77. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of staff in his Department who have a degree or higher degree level qualifications in economics; the proportion of staff who are so qualified in respect of the total staff of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51259/18]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Finance is committed to building and expanding of the economic expertise and capability across all divisions of the Department, with the aim of developing a modern, professional and forward-looking Department.

Currently, a total of 98 staff within the Department hold at least one Economics qualification. A further 30 staff are presently undertaking Economics qualifications but have not received their final award to date. 22% of the total number staff in the Department hold either a Degree, Masters or Doctorate level qualification in economics (72 staff).

Table 1: All qualifications Department of Finance staff hold in Economics:

Level Achieved:Number:
Certificate20
Diploma5
Degree37
Masters34
Doctorate1
Other Qualifications in Economics1
Total Number:98

Table 2: Courses undertaken by Department of Finance staff who have not formally graduated to date:

Level to be Achieved:Number:
Certificate16
Degree1
Masters13
Total Number:30

As part of ensuring a high level of Economics knowledge among staff, the Department of Finance partakes in the Refund of Fees Scheme. Through this scheme, the Department funds the academic fees for staff who are studying towards an accredited qualification.

As well as the Refund of Fees schemes, the Department of Finance, in co-operation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, organises a Certificate in Economics course (National Framework in Qualifications Level 6). This course is specifically designed to be a primer course for staff who do not have a specific academic background in economics, after which staff can chose to partake in further studies.

The Department continues to grow its expertise in the area of economics through the recruitment of staff via the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) and also through recruitment via the Public Appointments Service (PAS).

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