Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of the appointment of Mercer in June 2012 to examine pay levels across banking institutions, if he has made any similar appointments to examine pay levels in quangos, Government agencies, Government Departments or other organs and bodies funded by the State. [52451/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The appointment of Mercer in June 2012 to examine pay levels across banking institutions is a matter for the Minister for Finance.

Pay rates in the public service were reduced by up to 30% and a progressive pension related reduction (averaging approximately 7%) applied through the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts of 2009-2011. The rates of reduction applied to senior grades were based on the recommendations of the Body tasked with reviewing pay rates for senior levels of public servant.

The legislation under which the salary reductions were effected provide for an annual review in June each year by me, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, of the measures implemented. Completed reports on the reviews undertaken are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. In the most recent reviews of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts of 2009-2011, I concluded that there is a need to continue to apply the reductions in remuneration of public servants, and other measures controlling the cost of the public service pay and pensions bill, provided for under the Acts.

I have no plans to appoint consultants to undertake a separate examination of public service pay levels in public service bodies. I have no responsibility for pay levels in bodies outside of the public service (with the exception of CEO’s in the commercial semi-state bodies).