Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of public servants other than Ministers and Department secretaries-general who have responded to his call for a voluntary pay surrender; the amount that will be saved by the Exchequer as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42104/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In the Budget speech I informed the House that members of the Government and Ministers of State would surrender 10% of their current total pay and that officers at Secretary General level in Government Departments had volunteered to make a corresponding surrender in respect of their pay.

I also stated that other public servants in leadership and senior positions may wish to consider whether it is appropriate for them to make a similar move in current circumstances. This is a matter for individuals to consider and any surrender of salary is voluntary.

A salary surrender is made by means of a gift to the Minister for Finance. In addition to Ministers, Ministers of State and Heads of Government Departments and Offices at Secretary General level, 24 persons in public service positions have to date completed declaration forms making a gift to the Minister for Finance. It remains open to others in leadership and senior positions to do this also. In this connection, some others who have not yet completed declaration forms have indicated a willingness to make a salary surrender.

The gross savings to the Exchequer from all declarations made to date are approximately €270,000 in 2008 and €1,400,000 in 2009.