Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 677: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the rates of overtime or additional allowances payable to staff who work in his Department's press office in respect of persons being on-call and their additional attendance at work before or after normal hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29301/05]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 678: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amounts of [i]ex gratia[/i] payments made to staff in his Department's press office in respect of persons being on call and their additional attendance at work before or after normal hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29316/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 677 and 678 together.

The press office in my Department is currently staffed by the following personnel: one assistant principal officer; one administrative officer; one executive officer; and one clerical officer.

Overtime payments are made to staff up to and including the grades of higher executive officer and administrative officer, as set out in Department of Finance circular 27/99 in respect of additional attendance at work before or after normal hours.

Assistant principal officers do not qualify for overtime payments. In 2005 an ex gratia payment of €3,300 has been approved for the assistant principal officer in the press office in respect of an exceptional performance award. I can confirm there are no staff in my press office in receipt of additional allowances for being on-call.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 679: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of compensatory leave granted or due to be granted to staff in his Department; the individuals to whom they were granted in respect of additional attendance at work before or after normal hours of attendance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29331/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I assume when the Deputy is referring to compensatory leave he is referring to the situation where staff within the Department work additional hours either before or after normal working hours and opt for time in lieu, instead of extra attendance payments.

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available as the granting of time in lieu is managed at local level, having regard to the exigencies of the service.