Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 471: To ask the Minister for Defence 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. [31997/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Civil Service posts at the levels of Assistant Secretary and Deputy Secretary are covered by a scheme of performance related awards. The operation of the scheme is overseen by the Committee for Performance Awards (CPA). Details of awards to individual officers under the performance related scheme are not disclosed on the basis that they are confidential to the officer concerned. However, I can say that during 2005, 2006 and 2007 awards totalling €21,200, €22,400 and €22,000 respectively were made to two officers in my Department. Details of the operation of the scheme are available in the Annual Report for 2006 of the Committee for Performance Awards which can be accessed on the website of the Department of Finance at the following link:

http://www.finance.gov.ie/documents/publications/reports/CPArep2006.pdf.

Performance Awards for other grades are made to individual staff members and to groups of staff by way of recognition for exceptional performance of duty. In assessing eligibility for awards, regard is given to the nature and quality of the activities involved and to the circumstances under which they were carried out. Attention is also paid to the grade level of the staff members concerned and to what would be regarded as high quality performance from staff in such grades.

In 2007 a total of €22,421 was awarded under the Scheme for the Recognition of Exceptional Performance, comprising 2 individual awards of €600 and €1,000 and 34 group awards ranging from €100 to €1,500. In 2007 there were 400 members of staff across all grades up to and including Principal Officer level who were eligible for consideration for an award under the above scheme.

In 2006 a total of €41,118 was awarded under the Scheme for Recognition of Exceptional Performance, comprising 35 individual awards ranging from €50 to €2,000, and 26 group awards ranging from €80 to €1,080. In 2006 there were 388 members of staff across all grades up to and including Principal Officer level who were eligible for consideration for an award under the above scheme. In 2005 payments were made under the Scheme totalling €15,129. These consisted of 36 group awards ranging from €40 to €1,120.