Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the estimated cost of incremental pay increases awarded to existing staff in her Department, its office and agencies under the remit of her Department in 2008 and 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36838/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The cost of incremental progression for staff in my Department in any given year will depend upon the number of staff receiving increments and the number of staff moving, or retiring, from my Department who are replaced by staff paid at lower points of the salary scale. My Department does not receive any additional funding for incremental progression, it is expected to meet the costs, if any, from within its overall allocation. The same approach applies to agencies under the remit of my Department, including the HSE.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the estimated annual cost to her Department of the 2.5% Towards 2016 pay increase from its implementation in September 2008 and the 3.5% pay increase planned for September 2009 in respect of wages paid to staff in her Department, its office and agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36852/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The estimated cost to my Department of the 2.5% pay increase under Towards 2016 with effect from 1st September 2008 is €0.3m in 2008 and €0.9m in a full year. The estimated cost to my Department of the 3.5% pay increase with effect from 1st September 2009 arising under the recently negotiated draft pay agreement under Towards 2016 is €0.4m in 2009 and €1.2m in a full year.

In addition a range of agencies are funded by my Department. The estimated full year cost to these agencies of the 2.5% pay increase is €1.4m. The estimated cost in 2009 of the 3.5% increase is €2m. It is estimated that the full year cost of the 2.5% pay increase under Towards 2016 to the HSE will be €189m. The HSE will cover its own costs and a wide range of agencies which it funds. Based on figures in the published Budget 2009 Book the estimated cost of the 3.5% pay increase arising from the recently negotiated draft pay agreement will be €95m in 2009. It is expected that the agencies and the HSE will meet the costs of the pay increases from within their overall allocations.