Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 310 together.

The Outcome of the Review of Public Sector Allowances was published by the Department of Public Expenditure on 18th September 2012. The Delegates (and Chairpersons) Allowance (payable to officials who travel outside of Ireland to represent Ireland at meetings of the EU or other international organisations, or who act as Chairpersons of EU Committees) is the only allowance pertinent to employees of this Department which was abolished for both new beneficiaries and existing staff. It would be extremely difficult to provide an accurate estimate of the cost of re-introduction as it would require information in relation to officials who may qualify for such an allowance in the future and, as my Department was only established in 2011, we have only one year to base any historic calculation on.

The issue of addressing the difference in pre and post 2011 salary scales for public servants was addressed with the relevant union interests under the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA). Any further consideration of remuneration for any group of public servants will fall to be examined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform within the provisions of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 -2018 now commonly referred to as the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA). The process of restoring public service pay has commenced under the LRA and an important feature of this is the flat rate increase which is being implemented. As a result, there is no distinction between officers of this Department pre or post 2011.