Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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296. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he is taking to ensure that degrees undertaken by State employees paid for by public monies are suitable for the areas they are working in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23122/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Circular 23/2007:- Post Entry Education - Refund of Fees, Study Leave and Examination Leave (attached), sets out the terms a conditions of the refund of fees scheme which applies to the Civil Service.

As noted in the circular, the approach of the circular is to maximise the discretion available to Departments/Offices in addressing post-entry education matters in ways that are most relevant to their own areas of responsibility.

In all cases, the decision as to whether civil servants are refunded rests with the Head of the Department/Office who must take into account both the estimated total cost of fees and travelling expenses (if any) and (ii) the available financial resources. Further to this, as outlined in the circular, it is a matter for individual organisations to monitor the operation of the scheme to ensure effective skill development for the organisation as well as equality of opportunity in access to training and development.