Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the bonus or merit payments awarded to senior officials and staff each year since 2000, detailing the management and staff category; the purpose and the amount of the award and the highest award made and to whom. [28393/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Under this Department's scheme of exceptional performance, 0.2% of the administrative budget, A1, may be made available to staff in recognition of exceptional contribution or performance by individuals or teams. Merit awards may be awarded to all grades up to and including principal officer.

There were no merit awards granted in my Department in 2002, which was the year my Department was established. In 2003, €20,126 was awarded under the merit award scheme to 16 groups and 21 individuals. The highest individual award was €500, which was awarded to one clerical officer and one higher executive officer. In 2004, €22,340 was awarded under the merit award scheme to 17 groups and 27 individuals. The highest individual award was €800, which was awarded to one clerical officer and one executive officer.

Under the Department of Finance scheme of performance related awards for posts at the level of deputy secretary and assistant secretary, awards totalling €16,500 in 2003, €24,000 in 2004 and €22,700 in 2005 were made. The Department of Finance sanctioned special payments in respect of consistent and exceptional extra attendance for non-overtime grades arising from the Irish Presidency of the European Union in 2004. Three principal officers received €5,000 each, one principal officer received €2,000, three assistant principal officers received €4,200 each, one assistant principal officer received €3,200 and one assistant principal received €1,000.