Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.

The cost of the next phase of the benchmarking award to my Department, payable in June 2005, is estimated at €150,000. This increase has been calculated in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines and all staff under the grade of Assistant Secretary level are eligible to receive the benchmarking increase.

Under the terms of Sustaining Progress, the pay increases recommended by the Public Service Benchmarking Body, and payable from 1 June 2005, are conditional on delivery of real and verifiable outputs in relation to modernisation and flexibility. The key mechanisms for monitoring overall progress in this regard are reports on action plans prepared by individual Departments and offices, a general review by the Department of Finance and verification by the Civil Service performance verification group. I understand the performance verification group has completed its deliberations and has concluded that the progress achieved warranted payment of increases from 1 June to the grades concerned in my Department.

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