Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the policy on the payment of members of statutory boards in the non-commercial area; the rates of payment; the degree of delegation to line Departments; if the sanction of his Department is required in each case; and the statutory boards which do not make payments to its members. [9074/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The level of fees payable to the non-executive chairpersons and members of statutory boards of State bodies was determined by the Government in May 2001. Fees are divided into four categories depending on the size and complexity of the body. Category one: chairperson, €19,046.07; director, €12,697.38. Category two: chairperson, €15,236.86; director, €10,157.90. Category three: chairperson, €10,157.90; director, €6,348.69. Category four: chairperson, €7,618.43; director, €5,078.95

For the boards of non-commercial State bodies, the basic criterion used for determining the rates payable was the recommendations in review body report No. 38 on the remuneration of the chief executives. This provides the best available objective assessment of the relative importance and complexity of the bodies concerned.

In general, for fees to be payable to the chairperson or members of a board requires an enabling provision in the legislation governing the State body concerned. Such a provision typically specifies that members may be paid such remuneration, if any, which the sponsor Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may determine. The question of delegation does not arise.

In some cases, only the chairperson receives a fee, usually reflecting the situation where the ordinary members' and directors' duties are not considered sufficiently onerous or that the members carry out their functions on a pro bono basis. For public servants who are members of such boards, the "one person, one salary" rule applies and fees are not generally payable to them.

The Deputy should consult with relevant Ministers for specific information on the boards of statutory bodies under their aegis where fees are not paid to members. I will provide the information on bodies under my Department, as soon as it has been collated.