Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the budgeted cost to her Department for 2009 of incremental pay increases for all staff in and under the aegis of her Department; the comparative cost for each year from 2002 to date in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46989/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department does not receive any additional funding for incremental progression. Therefore, there is no specific budget provided in any year for the payment of increments, as my Department is expected to meet such costs, if any, from within its overall pay allocation. The costs, if any, arising in relation to this matter will vary based upon the length of service of existing staff and replacement of those retiring or resigning by new entrants at the lowest point of the salary scale. The Department manages all of these issues within the overall pay allocation. A similar situation applies in health agencies with no additional funding made available for such costs and agencies required to address the issue from within their existing pay allocation.