Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

While I thank the Minister for the figures, the question sought to ascertain the Minister's views on the issue. By way of parliamentary question to the Department of Health, I obtained the information that 185 people in the HSE on salaries of in excess of €100,000 will receive increments this year. The HSE represents approximately one third of the entire public service so we can assume the overall figure is approximately 500 people across the entire public service, not just in line Departments. This could amount to €40 million or €50 million per annum in increments this year.

All I am asking for is equality and social justice. I am not asking people to take a pay reduction. However, does the Minister think it right that approximately 500 people in the public service, or approximately 2% of the total, who are on salaries of in excess of €100,000 should be getting salary increases this year? Call it an increment or whatever one likes, it is a salary increase. The other 98% are not on those salaries and, let us be clear, I am very concerned about equality for the other 98%.

I do not believe the word "increment" is mentioned in the Croke Park deal so I cannot see how somebody can unilaterally say it is part of pay when this has not been tested by the Labour Court. I suggest the Minister would consider the issue. He has taken the issue of sick pay to the Labour Court so why not take the issue of increases to high pay and perhaps the Labour Court will introduce some common sense to this issue? He might consider giving me his views on that small group of people who are getting salary rises.

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