Mr. Barry O'Brien:

The pay policy, as recently issued, clearly sets out everybody's responsibility. It is important to state that section 38 agencies are individual employers who offer employment contracts. Clearly the policy places responsibility on section 38 agencies, under point 12 of the section entitled "Action Required", to "provide written confirmation to the HSE" that remuneration payable is in accordance with the Department of Health consolidated scales; that non-Exchequer sources of funding are not used to exceed approved rates of remuneration; that the payment of unsanctioned payments has ceased; and that the recoupment of any overpayments will be pursued as expeditiously as possible.