Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 274: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reasons he does not collate complete data on increments across the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40820/11]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 288: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the costs of public sector pay increments for 2012; the projected cost for each of the years 2013, 2014 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1075/12]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 289: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons on a salary in excess of €50,000 per year who are due to receive a pay increment this year; the number on a salary above €60,000 per year; the number on a salary above €70,000 per year; the cost of pay increments for each of these salary levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1076/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 274, 288 and 289 together.

No specific financial provision is made to public service bodies in respect of increments as they are required to meet the cost within their overall pay allocations. Accordingly, as it is a matter for each public service body to manage the cost of increments on an individual basis within their individual pay allocations, details were not sought previously for expenditure planning purposes, nor is the detailed data sought by the Deputy in relation to cost of increments across pay ranges in the public service available. As the Deputy may be aware, the availability of specific data on increments varies across public service bodies. For example, detailed data on the cost of increments in the Local Authority sector is not currently available to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government as it covers 34 individual local authorities.

Significantly reduced recruitment, the ongoing substantial fall in numbers of public servants, and higher numbers reaching the maxima of scales has reduced the cost of increments. Based on more detailed information recently requested by my Department on the total cost of increments in a full year in the various sectors, the estimated full year cost of increments in the public service (excluding the Local Authority sector) is now estimated at no more than 180 million euro per annum and less than half that sum in 2012. This cost will continue to fall over the coming years.