James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if, in view of the pay increase that An Taoiseach has awarded himself and other Government Ministers and the projected pay restraints in the public sector, he will make provision for a Christmas bonus for the political staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas, in line with practice in the private sector and the Department of Social and Family Affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33241/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The pay of political office holders is covered by the terms of reference of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. The Review Body, which was established in 1969, is a independent standing body whose primary function is to advise the Government on the general levels of remuneration appropriate to higher public servants (civil service, local authorities, health boards, non-commercial State bodies, Garda Síochána, Defence Forces, hospital consultants, etc.), members of the judiciary, and political office-holders.

It is seven years since the last general review was carried out by the Review Body in relation to the pay of those covered by its remit. It is established Government policy to accept the recommendations of this independent review body. This has been accepted by successive Governments.

When the Deputy refers to political staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas I assume he means staff appointed by the deputies e.g. Secretarial Assistants and Parliamentary Assistants. The pay of these grades is encompassed by the public service benchmarking process (via linkages to civil service grades). They benefited from increases recommend by the first benchmarking exercise, which report some five years ago (compared to seven years for the last Review Body report). The Public Service Benchmarking Body is currently finalising its second report. Towards 2016 provides that the implementation of the recommendations of the Benchmarking Body should be discussed in the context of discussions on whatever arrangements on pay and conditions are to be put in place on the expiry of the current public service pay agreement under Towards 2016.

The terms and conditions of public service employees do not in general provide for the payment of bonuses. The 'Christmas bonus' paid by the Department of Social and Family Affairs is not made to the staff of the Department but to Social Welfare recipients.