Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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1641. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a pay and conditions employment package was agreed for a person (details supplied); when this decision was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14925/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by my officials that the pay and conditions employment package referred to by the Deputy was not agreed for any individual. Rather it was agreed for a position which was advertised through an open competition in accordance with the Code of Practice for Appointments to the Civil and Public Service.

The package offered in December 2018 had due regard to the need to attract sufficient candidates of a necessary calibre for this challenging and strategically important role, and the fact that the existing approved remuneration package had not attracted sufficient interest from suitable candidates for the position.

The recruitment package is commensurate with the importance of the role. Approval for the package to be offered was received from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 17th December 2018. 

The contract of employment was completed on the 2nd April 2019 and was within the parameters set out in the approval letter of 17th December 2018.