Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2023
285. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [14627/23]
View answerThe information requested is not readily available, a response will be prepared and forwarded in due course.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
Staff in my Department work in a wide variety of areas. There are over 60 different roles in the Department, ranging from general administrative and service roles to specialist professional positions, which include agricultural inspectorate, agricultural officers and engineering, financial, IT, laboratory, legal and veterinary roles amongst others. An academic qualification is a prerequisite for consideration for appointment for a range of such grades. Please see Appendix One for a list of the grades in my Department that require a recognised academic qualification as part of the eligibility criteria. Recruitment for my Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is facilitated by the Public Appointments Service. My Department also administers internal competitions. It is the case that staff in general service grades are not obliged to declare their academic qualifications when they join the Civil Service. OneLearning, the Civil Service shared service for staff learning and development, have recently made a Continuing Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) log available on the Learning Management System for staff where they can record education qualifications gained by them or which they are currently undertaking. Staff are encouraged to record qualifications on this system.
My Department actively supports the continuous and professional development of our staff. We facilitate staff access to second and third level education through our Funding of Academic Fees programme. This programme enables staff to build appropriate skills, expertise and participate in life-long learning. In 2022, a full review was carried out of Funding of Academic Fees policy to ensure that the programme continues to contribute to:
- Building the appropriate skills and expertise levels in my Department.
- Supporting colleagues’ efforts in their self-development.
- The enhancement of workplace performance in my Department.
Based on feedback received from the review, the curriculum was revised to include new study opportunities, and levels of financial support to colleagues were adjusted in line with increasing costs in the sector. Please see Appendix two for details of those qualifications achieved by staff in my Department in Academic years 2020/2021 and 2021/2022.
A priority detailed in the Civil Service Renewal 2024 Action Plan is the development of a skills register which will serve as a key component of strategic workforce planning and will enable the optimum use of capabilities and skills.
In terms of the evolution of educational attainment levels in recent years, according to the CSO Educational Attainment Thematic Report 2022, Ireland continues to have one of the highest rates of third level education in the EU-27 with 62 per cent of 25–34 year-olds in Ireland having a third level qualification in 2021, compared with the EU-27 average of 41 per cent. (https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-eda/educationalattainmentthematicreport2022)
Appendix 1
DAFM - List of grades requiring a degree as part of qualifications/eligibility
AP Cyber Security
A. A qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) award (i.e. honours degree), or higher, with computing / computational modules taken in the final year.
OR
B. A qualification at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) award (i.e. ordinary degree) in a relevant computing or computational discipline
OR
C. a Level 6 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) qualification, in a relevant area of ICT*
HEO Cyber Security
A). A qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) award (i.e. honours degree), or higher, in a relevant computing or computational discipline
OR
B). A qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) award (i.e. honours degree), or higher, with computing / computational modules taken in the final year
OR
C). A qualification at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) award (i.e. ordinary degree) in a relevant computing or computational discipline
HEO ICT
|
Technical Grades |
Degree required |
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
Level 6 Advanced Cert in Agriculture |
|
Senior Agricultural Officer |
Level 5 Advanced Cert in Agriculture |
|
District Superintendent |
Level 5 Advanced Cert in Agriculture |
|
Area Superintendent |
Level 5 Advanced Cert in Agriculture |
|
Engineer Grade I |
A level 8 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications in Civil Engineering or equivalent professional qualification in Civil Engineering. |
|
Engineer Grade II (Civil) |
Hold a minimum Level 8 qualification on the National Framework of Qualification in Civil Engineering, Engineers Ireland accredited. OR Hold a qualification which would be acceptable to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as being at least equivalent for the purpose of this competition |
|
Engineer Grade III (Civil) |
Hold a minimum Level 8 qualification on the National Framework of Qualification in Civil Engineering, Engineers Ireland accredited. OR Hold a qualification which would be acceptable to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as being at least equivalent for the purpose of this competition. |
|
ALAB Technical appeals Advisor |
Hold a primary degree qualification at level 8 Marine Biological sciences Biological sciences Engineering sciences Planning Engineering Or such other equivalent qualifications |
|
Civil Engineering Technician Grade I |
Hold a Level 6 qualification in Civil Engineering on the National Framework of Qualifications that is accredited by Engineers Ireland OR Hold a qualification which would be acceptable to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as being at least equivalent for the purpose of this competition |
|
Civil Engineering Technician Grade II |
At a minimum hold a Level 6 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications in Civil Engineering, Engineers Ireland accredited OR Hold a qualification which would be acceptable to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as being at least equivalent to the above for the purpose of this competition |
|
Craft Worker (Carpentry) |
A recognized qualification as a carpenter at a minimum of NFQ Level 6 or equivalent. Note: If apprenticeship served in this, evidence of exams completed successfully will be necessary and copies should be submitted with your application. |
|
Harbour Master |
(i) Hold a Certificate of Competency as Master or Chief Mate STCW, as amended, Reg. II/2, for vessels in the unlimited trading area, without limitations on type of ships, valid for service or eligible to be validated for service, in the Irish Merchant Marine. and have at least one year’s satisfactory sea service as Master or Chief Mate or a combination of both. OR (ii) Be serving, or have served, in the Permanent Defence Force of the State and hold, or have held, the commissioned naval rank of Lieutenant Commander or Lieutenant, And have at least one year’s satisfactory sea service in command of a naval ship(s), OR (iii) Hold a Skipper’s Full Certificate of Competency and, subsequent to receipt of that Certificate, have at least one year’s service as skipper of an Irish sea-fishing vessel of 24 metres or over in length. |
|
Inspectorate Grades |
Degree required |
|
Assistant Agricultural Inspector (various streams) |
Entry level grade. Hold a primary degree qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). |
|
Agricultural Inspector (various streams) |
Promotional grade. Hold a primary degree qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). |
|
Veterinary Grades |
Degree required |
|
Chief Veterinary Officer |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Senior Superintendent Veterinary Inspector |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Superintendent Veterinary Inspector |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Senior Research Officer - Veterinary |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Research Officer - Veterinary |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Epidemiologist - Veterinary |
Post-graduate MSc or PhD qualification in epidemiology, or another closely related area such as public health or animal health |
|
Laboratory Grades |
Degree required |
|
Head of Agriculture Laboratories |
An honours primary degree i.e. level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications in Agricultural Science, Chemistry, or a relevant Bioscience related to the work of the post. |
|
Chief Analyst |
Minimum Level 7 Degree on NQF in applied science discipline |
|
Deputy Chief Analyst |
Minimum Level 7 Degree on NQF in applied science discipline |
|
Head of Bacteriology |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Head of Food Chemistry |
Minimum Level 8 Degree on NQF in applied science discipline |
|
Head of Plant Science |
Minimum Level 8 Degree on NQF in basic or applied science discipline |
|
Senior Laboratory Analyst |
Minimum Level 7 Degree on NQF in appropriate science discipline |
|
Laboratory Analyst - Biology |
Minimum Level 7 Degree on NQF in bio related science discipline |
|
Laboratory Analyst – Chemistry |
Minimum Level 7 Degree on NQF in chemistry related science discipline |
|
Quality Manager |
A degree, i.e. level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications in a relevant scientific discipline. |
|
Biosecurity Officer |
Minimum Level 7 Degree on NQF in appropriate science discipline |
|
Social Scientist |
Hold a qualification in an area of Social Science at a minimum of level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications |
|
IMT Grades |
Degree required |
|
Earth Observation Specialist |
A. A qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major award, or higher, in Earth Observation, Remote Sensing Technologies, GIS or a related field. OR B) A qualification at Level 8 on the NFQ or higher, with an additional higher qualification (Masters or PhD) in Earth Observation, Remote Sensing, GIS or a related field. |
|
A. A qualification at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major award (i.e. ordinary degree), or higher, in a relevant computing or computational discipline OR B) A qualification at Level 8 on the NFQ major award (i.e. honours degree), or higher, with computing/ computational modules taken in the final |
|
Technical Grades |
Degree required |
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
Level 6 Advanced Cert in Agriculture |
|
Senior Agricultural Officer |
Level 5 Advanced Cert in Agriculture |
|
District Superintendent |
Level 5 Advanced Cert in Agriculture |
|
Area Superintendent |
Level 5 Advanced Cert in Agriculture |
|
Engineer Grade I |
A level 8 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications in Civil Engineering or equivalent professional qualification in Civil Engineering. |
|
Engineer Grade II (Civil) |
Hold a minimum Level 8 qualification on the National Framework of Qualification in Civil Engineering, Engineers Ireland accredited. OR Hold a qualification which would be acceptable to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as being at least equivalent for the purpose of this competition |
|
Engineer Grade III (Civil) |
Hold a minimum Level 8 qualification on the National Framework of Qualification in Civil Engineering, Engineers Ireland accredited. OR Hold a qualification which would be acceptable to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as being at least equivalent for the purpose of this competition. |
|
ALAB Technical appeals Advisor |
Hold a primary degree qualification at level 8 Marine Biological sciences Biological sciences Engineering sciences Planning Engineering Or such other equivalent qualifications |
|
Civil Engineering Technician Grade I |
Hold a Level 6 qualification in Civil Engineering on the National Framework of Qualifications that is accredited by Engineers Ireland OR Hold a qualification which would be acceptable to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as being at least equivalent for the purpose of this competition |
|
Civil Engineering Technician Grade II |
At a minimum hold a Level 6 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications in Civil Engineering, Engineers Ireland accredited OR Hold a qualification which would be acceptable to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as being at least equivalent to the above for the purpose of this competition |
|
Craft Worker (Carpentry) |
A recognized qualification as a carpenter at a minimum of NFQ Level 6 or equivalent. Note: If apprenticeship served in this, evidence of exams completed successfully will be necessary and copies should be submitted with your application. |
|
Harbour Master |
(i) Hold a Certificate of Competency as Master or Chief Mate STCW, as amended, Reg. II/2, for vessels in the unlimited trading area, without limitations on type of ships, valid for service or eligible to be validated for service, in the Irish Merchant Marine. and have at least one year’s satisfactory sea service as Master or Chief Mate or a combination of both. OR (ii) Be serving, or have served, in the Permanent Defence Force of the State and hold, or have held, the commissioned naval rank of Lieutenant Commander or Lieutenant, And have at least one year’s satisfactory sea service in command of a naval ship(s), OR (iii) Hold a Skipper’s Full Certificate of Competency and, subsequent to receipt of that Certificate, have at least one year’s service as skipper of an Irish sea-fishing vessel of 24 metres or over in length. |
|
Inspectorate Grades |
Degree required |
|
Assistant Agricultural Inspector (various streams) |
Entry level grade. Hold a primary degree qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). |
|
Agricultural Inspector (various streams) |
Promotional grade. Hold a primary degree qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). |
|
Veterinary Grades |
Degree required |
|
Chief Veterinary Officer |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Senior Superintendent Veterinary Inspector |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Superintendent Veterinary Inspector |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Senior Research Officer - Veterinary |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Research Officer - Veterinary |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Epidemiologist - Veterinary |
Post-graduate MSc or PhD qualification in epidemiology, or another closely related area such as public health or animal health |
|
Laboratory Grades |
Degree required |
|
Head of Agriculture Laboratories |
An honours primary degree i.e. level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications in Agricultural Science, Chemistry, or a relevant Bioscience related to the work of the post. |
|
Chief Analyst |
Minimum Level 7 Degree on NQF in applied science discipline |
|
Deputy Chief Analyst |
Minimum Level 7 Degree on NQF in applied science discipline |
|
Head of Bacteriology |
Degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by Veterinary Council of Ireland |
|
Head of Food Chemistry |
Minimum Level 8 Degree on NQF in applied science discipline |
|
Head of Plant Science |
Minimum Level 8 Degree on NQF in basic or applied science discipline |
|
Senior Laboratory Analyst |
Minimum Level 7 Degree on NQF in appropriate science discipline |
|
Laboratory Analyst - Biology |
Minimum Level 7 Degree on NQF in bio related science discipline |
|
Laboratory Analyst – Chemistry |
Minimum Level 7 Degree on NQF in chemistry related science discipline |
|
Quality Manager |
A degree, i.e. level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications in a relevant scientific discipline. |
|
Biosecurity Officer |
Minimum Level 7 Degree on NQF in appropriate science discipline |
|
Social Scientist |
Hold a qualification in an area of Social Science at a minimum of level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications |
|
IMT Grades |
Degree required |
|
Earth Observation Specialist |
A. A qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major award, or higher, in Earth Observation, Remote Sensing Technologies, GIS or a related field. OR B) A qualification at Level 8 on the NFQ or higher, with an additional higher qualification (Masters or PhD) in Earth Observation, Remote Sensing, GIS or a related field. |
|
A. A qualification at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major award (i.e. ordinary degree), or higher, in a relevant computing or computational discipline OR B) A qualification at Level 8 on the NFQ major award (i.e. honours degree), or higher, with computing/ computational modules taken in the final |
