Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the bonuses paid to members of the Health Service Executive management for each of the years 2006, 2007 and 2008; the number and grade of persons who received such bonuses; and if she will confirm, in view of the current economic climate and the HSE's budgetary situation, that no bonuses will be awarded in 2009 to members of senior HSE management. [27865/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Performance Related Awards Scheme was introduced following a decision by the Government on the implementation of recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. The primary function of the Review Body is to advise the Government from time to time on the general levels of remuneration appropriate to certain public sector posts, including higher management grades in the health service not covered by the Public Sector Benchmarking Body process.

Staff at the grade of National Director, Assistant National Director and Hospital Network Manager are eligible to participate in the PRA Scheme.

The level of awards made to individuals is a matter for the HSE Board and my Department has, therefore, asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy about the bonuses paid for each of the years 2006, 2007 and 2008.

I can tell the Deputy that no performance related awards have been paid to eligible senior managers in the HSE in respect of 2008. My Department wrote to the HSE recently, at the request of the Department of Finance, suggesting that consideration of any bonus payments be suspended pending the issue of further guidelines.