Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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824. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if increments due to be paid to staff in her Department were paid on the due date. [1530/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Most civil servants were historically placed on a pay scale with annual increments up to a maximum level and after that, 2 Long Service Increments (LSI's) after 3 and 6 years respectively. The date on which annual increments fell due for civil servants were spread out over the course of the calendar year and were determined by the date of appointment and normally paid on the anniversary of appointment provided performance during the year was satisfactory. Currently, Departments are applying the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA), which came into effect from 1st July, 2013, to the payment of increments. One of the measures agreed under the HRA was that staff increments - after payment of their first increment after the introduction of the HRA – were to be deferred for periods of between three months and six months depending on salary level as follows:

- Less than €35,000 – one three month increment freeze - €35,000 to €65,000 – two three month increment freezes - Above €65,000 to max of PO (higher) scale – two six month increment freeze - Salaries starting over €100,000 – incremental progression suspended for three years.

In addition, as a balancing measure, the HRA provided, for staff earning between €35,000 and €65,000* and on the maximum of their salary scale before or during 2013, that the following would apply: 1. A reduction of 2 days annual leave for next three years; or 2. 2 days unpaid leave for next three years (subject to management approval); or 3. Cash deduction from salary of equivalent amount; or 4. Cash deduction of half of the most recent increment, whichever is the lesser.

If staff reach the maximum point after 2013, the above provisions will be implemented on a reducing basis.

The Deputy should note that instructions in relation to the payment of increments to staff in this Department are now issued by PeoplePoint (The HR & Pensions Shared Service under the aegis of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform), to Staff Salaries section of this Department. Prior to the instructions issuing, PeoplePoint liaise with the HR Unit of my Department particularly where they are proposing not to pay increments to staff members on the basis of an unsatisfactory/no performance ratings. In cases where staff do not have a current PMDS (Performance Management Development System) rating recorded on the Human Resource Management System the line manager of the staff member is contacted to ensure that they return the staff members PMDS rating via the PeoplePoint portal as soon as possible. In such cases and if the increment is to be paid a delay may take place in terms of when the actual payment is made.

*Officers who have 23 days annual leave or less are excluded from the provisions of this section of the Haddington Road Agreement