Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 455: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when his Department or the board of Trinity College Dublin was made aware of the unauthorised payment of bonuses and an allowance to certain senior staff at Trinity College; the action his Department and the board of Trinity College took upon becoming aware of the payments; the way these payments were made without authorisation; the measures he is taking to ensure adequate oversight of such payments in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7019/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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In the context of the implementation of the recommendations of Report No. 42 of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector, my Department sought details of remuneration being paid to senior staff from all relevant institutions. Details supplied by Trinity College Dublin (TCD) in June 2008 included allowances to certain senior staff which had not been sanctioned.

My Department has at all times indicated to third-level institutions that the levels of remuneration sanctioned for all posts, including senior staff, should not, under any circumstances, be exceeded without prior approval. Furthermore, the Government decided that where unapproved payments were being made to senior staff in third-level institutions, no further increases should be implemented until the position was regularised. My Department has, therefore, not issued sanction to date for those persons comprehended by Report No. 42 in TCD who are or were in receipt of unauthorised allowances. My Department is reviewing the position with TCD to ensure that the remuneration levels of the relevant staff are regularised and in full compliance with the recommendations outlined in Report No 42 of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration.