Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach the payments made to senior officials in his Department under the performance related pay scheme for each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008; if he will confirm if he has approved the payments for 2008; if so, the date of this approval; the date of the approval of payments relating to 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14202/09]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The scheme of awards which, in the civil service, applies at the levels of Deputy and Assistant Secretary is based on performance by reference to demanding targets. The pool for performance awards is 10% of the pay bill in the relevant year for the group concerned. Within that overall limit individuals can receive payments of up to 20% of pay. Decisions on awards are made by the Committee for Performance Awards (CPA), which includes a majority of private sector members. The main roles of the committee are to monitor the application of the scheme of performance-related awards and to bring independent judgement to bear in approving objectives for the persons covered by the scheme and in approving recommendations for awards.

The total payments made to senior officials in my Department under the performance related pay scheme for each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007 is detailed as follows:

Approval from the Committee for Performance Awards was received on 18th March, 2008 in respect of the year 2007. As the Deputy may be aware, on 5 February last, the Minister for Finance announced in the Dáil the discontinuation of the scheme for Assistant Secretaries, Deputy Secretary and related grades subject to consultation with the relevant Staff Associations. Therefore no assessments or payments have been made in respect of performances in 2008.