Written answers

Thursday, 3 November 2011

Department of Education and Skills

Departmental Expenditure

3:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees paid by him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32680/11]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32695/11]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.

The annualised cost of issuing hardcopy payslips to the approximate 94,000 school employees and pensioners, and staff employed by my Department and some bodies under its aegis, is €1.48 million.

Consideration was given by officials in my Department in 2010, to making payslips available electronically to serving and retired school employees on the Department's payrolls using esinet (which is a portal for the delivery of online applications to schools and school staff). Following consideration of the issue, it was decided that it was not practical to proceed with the initiative at this stage, due to a number of practical and logistical issues including the initial set-up cost. However, my Department will keep this issue under review.

My Department is currently testing an online payslips facility which is intended to be made available to staff in my Department from early 2012. My Department is also exploring with potential providers the movement of the staff payroll and associated services to a shared services platform as part of the Public Service Reform Agenda. The provision of online payslips would form an element of such a service. The information in relation to agencies accountable to me is not readily available and would involve an inordinate amount of administrative time to compile. However, if the Deputy has any particular agency in mind I would be happy to have my officials obtain the relevant details and communicate them to the Deputy.

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