Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the bonuses awarded by his Department to staff members for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007; the number and proportion of staff in receipt of bonuses for each of those years; the average bonus paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32004/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that the Deputy's Question relates to performance-related awards. There are two types of performance-related schemes applicable to civil servants in Government Departments. Details of individual awards made under these schemes are not disclosed on the basis that they are confidential to the officials concerned. Senior civil servants at Assistant Secretary, Deputy Secretary and equivalent grades are covered by a high level scheme of performance-related awards. The operation of this scheme is overseen by a Committee for Performance Awards which is chaired by the Department of Finance.

The funding for awards is based on 10% of the payroll for the posts covered by the scheme. Within this overall limit, payments of up to 20% can be made to individuals. Details of the procedures of the scheme and further relevant information are outlined in annual reports of the Performance Awards Committee which are available on the website www.finance.gov.ie. The average award made under this scheme to Department staff for each of the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 was €10,490, €13,440, and €13,890 respectively. The performance-related awards scheme also applies to CEOs of agencies and Heads of Offices under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It also covers Assistant Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners in An Garda Síochána.

There is a separate scheme in place for grades below the level of Assistant Secretary. The total amount available for awards under this scheme cannot exceed 0.2% of the Department's payroll from sanctioned subheads. The total amount of awards allocated under this scheme in each of the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 was €110,320, €138,500 and €145,500 respectively. The maximum award made under the scheme in the years in question was €3,000, with a total of 25 awards over this period in the range €1,000 to €3,000. These cash awards, and those made under the high level performance-related awards scheme, are made through the payroll and are subject to appropriate tax and PRSI deductions. The Department also makes modest, non-cash awards in recognition of group/team performance. Typically, these awards amount to no more than €50 per head.