John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the review of allowances for public sector workers will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28292/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I announced the review of allowances and premia payments, to be carried out by my Department, in my address on the 2012 Expenditure Estimates on 5 December 2012. This announcement was made on foot of a Government decision which requires the public service to take additional measures to deliver further efficiencies in 2012 so as to ensure that paybill targets are met and with a view to delivering additional pay savings in 2013 and subsequent years. The measures include a reduction of 10% (approx €40 million) in overtime payments in 2012 which is being achieved by a reduction in allocations for overtime by the necessary amount for 2012.

To date, my Department has reviewed well over 800 business cases for allowances and premia payments. Due to resource constraints coupled with the volume of submissions received, and the complexity and variety of allowances across the sectors, it was not possible to complete the review in a short time frame. Indeed, business cases continue to be put forward for review by Offices and Departments. I expect to be in a position to bring proposals to Government shortly in relation to the findings of the review. In the interim, urgent business case requests are being processed in so far as is possible in order to ensure that the work of the public service is not unduly disrupted by the review.

The outcomes of the Review of particular allowances will be communicated to Government Departments and will be made public. I have also indicated my expectation that further discussions will take place with staff representative bodies.