Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Government pay policy is clear that remuneration rates for public servants must be appropriately approved and sanctioned in advance of payment. Pay policy is underpinned by administrative and legislative requirements. In the majority of cases remuneration rates for public servants must be approved by the relevant line Minister, subject to my consent as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. It is a matter for each Accounting Officer to ensure only those remuneration rates which are appropriately sanctioned and approved are in payment in Departments and agencies under their aegis.

In regard to the recent revelations on additional unsanctioned payments being made in the health sector, to which the Deputy referred, my Department has supported the work of the Department of Health and the HSE, as well as the work of my Oireachtas colleagues on the Committee of Public Accounts, in addressing the payment of unsanctioned amounts in the section 38, Health Act, agencies and will continue to do so, as appropriate. While my Department creates the policy on payments and sanctions the salary rates within the health sector, it cannot monitor implementation or audit compliance. It is properly a matter in the first instance for the Department of Health and HSE to ensure Government policy on pay is being complied with.

I am aware also that the Deputy has a particular interest in two agencies under the auspices of my Department - the Economic and Social Research Institute and the Institute of Public Administration - about which he asked me last week and which are in receipt of additional non-Exchequer income. These bodies have confirmed that no additional top-up payments are being paid to employees in these organisations.

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