James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of bonus payments awarded to the Health Service Executive staff in 2007; the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41216/09]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of bonus payments awarded to Health Service Executive staff in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008; the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41217/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together.

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.

The level of awards made to individual senior managers in the HSE in 2005, 2006, 2007 is solely a matter for the HSE Board and my Department has, therefore, asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy. No bonus payments have been made to senior managers in the HSE in respect of 2008. At its meeting on 9th July, 2009, in response to a request from my Department, the Board of the Executive formally decided to suspend consideration of all performance related awards for 2008 in the HSE pending receipt of further guidelines from central government. All eligible employees were informed of that decision.

Since the payment of bonuses is related to performance in the preceding year, no such payments have been made in respect of 2009.