Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Health if there are any chief executive officers of hospitals, health facilities or organisations funded by the State who are paid bonuses on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17855/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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A number of Performance Related Award schemes were introduced in the health service following a decision by the then Government on the implementation of recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector in a report published in September 2000.

These schemes covered a number of senior management grades in the Health Service Executive, the Chief Executives of the Voluntary Hospitals, the CEOs and Deputy CEOs of the five Dublin Academic Teaching Hospitals and the CEOs of some non-commercial health agencies.

In May 2009, in the context of the serious deterioration in the public finances and in view of the cessation of such awards in the civil service, my Department wrote to the Chairpersons of the Boards of the agencies and hospitals concerned stating that bonus payments should be suspended pending the issue of further guidelines.

Following a subsequent Review Body recommendation my Department instructed the HSE, hospitals and agencies that the schemes should be suspended on an indefinite basis. The schemes remain suspended.

In relation to bonus payments other than those comprehended by the PRA schemes, my Department has instructed the HSE that such payments should not be made by any bodies in receipt of funding under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. The HSE has been asked to confirm that no such payments are currently being made and that no such payments will be made in the future.