Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

There were two reports from the public service benchmarking body. The increases recommended in the first report of the body in June 2002 were implemented in my Department as follows: 25% of the recommended increase was paid in June 2003, with effect from 1 December 2001, and the total cost to December 2003 was approximately €405,000; 50% of the recommended increase was paid from 1 January 2004, at an approximate cost of €491,000 for that year; and the final 25% of the recommended increase was paid from 1 June 2005 at an approximate cost of €150,000 for that year. The full-year cost of the increases in 2006 was approximately €800,000.

The second report of the public service benchmarking body in December 2007 recommended an increase of 1.1% for the grade of principal officer. No other increase was recommended in respect of general Civil Service Grades. No payment has been made to date by my Department in regard to this recommendation.

See this speech in context