Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 232: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the payment of bonuses to local authority officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36492/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Following the recommendation of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector (Part 2 of Report No.38 of 25 September 2000) a scheme of Performance Related Awards was introduced in the local authority sector for Managers, Assistant Managers and Directors of Services commencing with the calendar year 2003. The purpose of the scheme was to encourage and reward excellence within the sector. Under the scheme, participants prepare a statement of objectives at the beginning of the year and a self-assessment of performance at the end of the year. Objectives and assessments are subject to approval by the Committee for Performance Awards (CPA), who also make the final determination of the amounts on awards. The pool for performance awards was set at 10% of the pay bill for the group concerned and with individual participants eligible to receive payments of up to 20% of pay.

Details of awards made under the scheme are contained in the annual reports of the CPA which are available in the Oireachtas Library. Awards were defined in terms of their distribution as a percentage of pay, the range of monetary values, and the number of recipients. Awards were made each year from 2003 to 2007. No performance awards have been made in respect of 2008. The scheme for the Local Government Sector is currently suspended.