Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the estimated cost of incremental pay increases awarded to existing staff in his Department, its office and agencies under the remit of his Department in 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36831/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The position is that year-to-year increases in allocations would not normally be granted to allow for increments. In the normal way, the overall cost of increments for some staff on incremental scales should be offset by reductions in cost arising from retirements or other movements by staff on higher incremental points and their replacement by staff on lower points.

I can confirm that there is no increased provision for increments in the paybill in my Department's Group of Votes for 2008, nor is such a provision being made for 2009.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the estimated annual cost to his 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 his Department, its office and agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36845/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The 2.5% pay increase arising from Towards 2016 is being implemented by my Department since 1 September 2008. The estimated cost arising in respect of the staff at my Department, as well as Departmental staff seconded to the National Drugs Strategy Team, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and An Coimisinéir Teanga, is of the order of €130k in 2008 and €400k in a full year. The estimated cost of the 3.5% pay increase proposed under the recently negotiated draft pay agreement to take effect from 1 September 2009 is of the order of €190k in 2009 and €570k in a full year.

In relation to the other agencies and bodies that come within the ambit of my Department, it has not been possible to collate the information in the time available. I have, however, requested that the relevant bodies provide the required information, which will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.