Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 373: To ask the Minister for Defence the amount paid in bonuses to anyone under the jurisdiction of his Department for the years 2006 to 2008, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37356/08]

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 scheme are not disclosed on the basis that they are confidential to the officer concerned. However, I can say that during 2006, 2007 and 2008 awards totalling €21,200, €22,400 and €22,000 respectively were made to two officers in my Department.

Performance awards for other civil service 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 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 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. To date in 2008 under the scheme for Recognition of Exceptional Performance, two individual awards of €700 and 7 individual awards of €200 have been made. In 2008 there were 419 members of staff across all grades up to and including Principal Officer level eligible for consideration for an award under the scheme.

The Scheme for Performance Related Awards also applies to officers of the Permanent Defence Force at the level of Brigadier General and Major General. The following awards were made under this scheme:

In 2006 an amount of €119,500 was awarded to a total of 12 personnel.

In 2007 an amount of €106,800 was awarded to a total of 10 personnel.

In 2008 an amount of €125,900 was awarded to a total of 11 personnel.