Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
555. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of requests to his Department that have been granted for various matters (details supplied); the number of such requests that have been refused; and the grounds on which they have been refused. [2499/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra632. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is taking to encourage civil servants in his Department to take or avail of special leave or career breaks, or other forms of leave to encourage and facilitate Ireland's 2026 EU presidency, the Government "Career for EU" jobs strategy, and the Department's Gaeilge/Irish-language policy and promotion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3937/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 555 and 632 together.
My Department is committed to staff development and promotes several EU related programmes each year. Staff are encouraged to apply for opportunities in the EU through the National Experts in Professional Training (NEPT) and Seconded National Experts (SNE) programmes as well as the shorter Erasmus for Officials programme. These roles are generally facilitated through special paid leave as the EU experience gained by officials is invaluable to my Department, particularly as Ireland's EU Presidency draws closer. My Department currently has two participants working in the European Commission under the SNE programme and one more staff member who is availing of special leave as their partner is working on an overseas DFA posting. A staff member who was on Special Leave while working in the European Commission's translation directorate took up a permanent role there in late 2024.
My Department has not refused any requests for special leave for these purposes.
My Department has a wide range of EU related policy areas and we look forward to playing a full and active role in the 2026 EU Presidency. Staff will be given every opportunity to get involved in the appropriate ways in the run up to and the duration of the Presidency.
My Department's training unit, through the One-Learning portal, offers training classes in professional Irish to staff during working hours. In addition my Department has assigned an Irish Language Officer and a single point of contact to conduct awareness campaigns to help staff understand their obligations under the Official Languages Act, and to encourage staff to speak the language through comhrá Gaeilge groups and cultural events.
