Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

56. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment 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. [14852/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Prior to 2021, my Department did not keep a record of training days broken down by grade. For information purposes, the total number of training days across all grades for 2019 is 931.75 and 1261.75 for 2020.

A breakdown of the training days per grade for 2021 and 2022 is provided in the table below:

My Department places a high priority on the development of our staff to ensure that they are provided with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute to the work of the Department and improve organisational performance. The pursuit and achievement of the goals in the Department's Strategy Statement are dependent on the excellence and efforts of all our staff, our key asset. Civil Service Renewal has identified staff as the single biggest resource that we have and places an emphasis on the need to maximise the performance and potential of all employees.

The objective of my Department's Learning and Career Development Unit's offerings is to provide and procure quality training which will enable all staff to develop their competencies. Competencies are the knowledge, skills, behaviours and attributes required to do our jobs well in a way which we realise our potential and provide the highest quality service to our customers, both internal and external.

The Department is not aware of any comparative studies that could be referenced in response to the Deputy's question on how this compares internationally.