Written answers

Wednesday, 23 March 2022

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Public Sector Staff

Photo of Michael LowryMichael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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47. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 2 February 2022, the reason that a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary was refused accesses to the one person one salary scheme; the appeals mechanisms that are available to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15168/22]

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply in this matter as set out in Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 2 February 2022.

The general objective of the One Person One Salary principle is that public servants should not receive additional remuneration for undertaking other duties in the public service. While the initial policy focused primarily on board fees, it has been expanded over time to cover any type of potential second income from a public service source that might accrue to a civil or public sector employee.

Additional payment may be made for undertaking other work in the public sector if certain conditions apply. Sanction for such payments are considered where Departments put forward a supporting business case and where it is established, that each of the following conditions is met:

1. that the duties involved are neither a part nor an extension of the officer’s normal duties, and

2. that a rigid insistence on the principle of one person-one salary would deny scarce skills to the State, and that payment is permitted for one additional appointment only, and

3. that the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for additional payments is required in each case, and

4. that in no case should payment exceed the normal fee for the activity concerned, and

5. that the duration of such payment should be limited to one term or 5 years whichever is greater.

Where a Department is satisfied that each of the conditions is met, application for sanction should be made to my Department. Such applications are considered and a decision is given by reference to the conditions quoted above.

It is normal practice that such cases are made by a Department based on an identified business need and not by an individual who is seeking an additional payment. Consequently, there is no appeals mechanism available to an individual.

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