Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The current scheme for departmental performance-related awards was introduced following a decision by the Government on the implementation of recommendations in report No. 38 of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. In the case of Departments, the scheme applies to posts at the levels of deputy secretary and assistant secretary. The first payments under the scheme were made in 2002. The schemes of awards are based on performance by reference to demanding targets. The pool for performance awards is 10% of the pay bill for participating members of the group concerned. Within that overall limit, individuals can receive payments of up to 20% of pay, although payments at that level are very rare.

Since the introduction of the scheme the full pool, or close to it, has been applied in respect of persons participating in the scheme. The salaries of persons who are eligible to participate in the scheme but choose not to do so are not taken into account in calculating the pool. I have no role in the decisions on awards. Decisions are made by the Committee for Performance Awards, which includes a majority of private sector members. The main roles of the committee are to monitor the application of the scheme and to bring independent judgment to bear in approving objectives for the persons covered by the scheme and in approving recommendations for awards. Details of the procedures, the numbers covered by the schemes, the range of awards and the total amounts paid in Departments are outlined in the annual reports of the committee, which are available on the website www.finance.gov.ie.

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