Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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155. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December 2022; how educational attainment levels have evolved in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14629/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is not possible to provide the Deputy with the information as requested. While data is recorded on a voluntary basis upon assignment, and details of Department-funded training is recorded, officers are not obliged to declare their qualifications. However, from the information available, officers in the Department hold qualifications across a range of disciplines and at various levels up to and including doctorate level.

My Department is committed to providing an excellent and proactive Learning & Development service to all officers aligned with our strategic objectives, which values staff and develops their careers in a supportive environment to achieve success.

My Department, in line with other Government Departments, operates a Refund/Advance of Fees Scheme. This is in line with Department of Finance Circular 23/2007, which guides how Refund of Fees Schemes are operated across the Civil Service. Officers are encouraged to undertake a course of study to enhance their career development.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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156. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the average number of days training per grade, in his Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14850/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to providing an excellent and proactive Learning & Development service to all officers aligned with our strategic objectives, which values staff and develops their careers in a supportive environment to achieve success.

Based on the information available, the number of training interventions per grade is outlined in the table below. It should be noted by the Deputy that this does not include information sessions, well-being sessions, eLearning courses and academic courses undertaken by officers. Therefore, a complete total of interventions and consequently an average is not available.

It is not possible to compare my Department’s average number of training days per grade against international standards, as this would require significant research including the identification of analogous grades in other civil services.