Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 5

Written Answers. - Public Service Benchmarking.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

123 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance if he is fully committed to paying the awards agreed under benchmarking; the date on which he proposes to make the first instalment; and the provision that he has made for this in 2002. [14413/02]

Emmet Stagg

Question:

130 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance when he expects to receive the final report of the Public Service Benchmarking Body; if the Government is committed to implementing the recommendations of the body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14506/02]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 130 together.

The Public Service Benchmarking Body was established in July 2000 under the terms of the PPF to examine public service pay and jobs by comparison with the private sector. The benchmarking process and the composition and terms of reference of the body were agreed by the Government and public service unions. The body's report will be finalised on schedule by 30 June 2002. It will then be considered by both the Government and the public service unions.

It was agreed, as part of the adjustment to the PPF, that one quarter of any increases recommended will be paid retrospectively from 1 December 2001.

The adjustment to the PPF also stated that the balance would be implemented on a phased basis, to be agreed between the parties, taking account of the desirability of implementing the benchmarking body's recommendations as speedily as possible, the level of increases involved, any successor to the PPF which might be agreed between the social partners or whatever other arrangements may be in place on the expiry of the programme and the need to respect any links which the benchmarking body might establish between levels of pay and other developments.

Also, €150 million was set aside in budget 2002 for the cost of the benchmarking process. This is a prudent provision but there is no way at this stage of accurately estimating what the eventual cost of the recommendations will be. I expect that talks about the implementation of the report with the public service unions will begin soon after receipt of the report.