asked the Minister for Finance whether persons who are or were in receipt of salaries, emoluments and expenses of over £1,500 per year paid (a) from voted moneys or (b) from the Central Fund received increases with the last six months and, if so, if he will state the persons concerned, the amounts of the increases, the date from which they were effective, and by whom they were authorised.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salary Increases.
No increases in remuneration were granted in the past six months to persons in receipt of over £1,500 a year paid from voted moneys or from the Central Fund.
I have not taken travelling expenses and subsistence allowances into account as such payments are designed to recoup out-of-pocket expenses.
May I point out to the Minister that the question specifically requests information with regard to any increases that may have taken place in expenses of the people named in the question? Would the Minister say that he is not prepared to give the information as to whether or not increases in expenses have been given to any of these categories of people?
Perhaps I was not distinct enough when giving the reply on behalf of the Minister for Finance. I said: "I have not taken travelling expenses and subsistence allowances into account as such payments are designed to recoup out-of-pocket expenses."
Surely the question specifically asks whether any increase took place in expenses? That would include travelling expenses and out-of-pocket expenses. Surely I am entitled to the information as requested in the question. Has there been any increase in allowances or expenses of any of the categories mentioned in the last six months?
I have nothing to add to the reply which seems to me to be comprehensive enough. People cannot determine in advance the amount of travelling they are going to do and what their hotel charges will be when they are on duty. As I stated in the reply, travelling expenses and subsistence allowances are not taken into account because such payments are designed to recoup out-of-pocket expenses. If railway fares go up naturally travelling expenses have to go up in proportion.
I asked the Minister whether any sanction was authorised. Will the Minister answer that part of the question if he is not prepared to give the amount involved? Was there any authorisation or sanction for such an increase?
If the Deputy wants a reply to that specific question he had better put it down separately on the Order Paper for another day.
Very good.