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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Nov 1981

Vol. 331 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Service Pay.

33.

asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will detail the expenditure saving of £50 million on the global pay provision as outlined by the Minister for Finance to the Dáil on 18 November 1981; and if he will give full particulars and a breakdown of the curtailment of special pay increases and the non-filling of vacancies as mentioned by the Minister for Finance.

I would refer the Deputy to the Financial Statement by the Minister for Finance on 21 July 1981 and his replies to Questions No. 20 of 12 November and No. 12 of 18 November respectively. The sum of £50 million represented, in broad terms only, the amount by which excess expenditure on the global provision for Exchequer pay and pensions would be reduced in 1981 by the curtailment of claims for special pay increases and the measures announced in relation to public sector numbers. Furthermore, the schemes of conciliation and arbitration in the public service under which most of the claims for special pay increases are negotiated, provide that their proceedings are confidential to the parties thereto. Accordingly, it would not be possible to give further details as requested.

Would the Minister agree that the figure of £50 million is purely mythical, unreal, untrue, pulled out of the air?

Does the Minister hope to achieve some of the savings by non-payment of awards until after I January?

I would ask the Deputy not to pursue this argument now. I am sure he is aware of discussions taking place elsewhere and that this is an area involved in the discussions. In view of the delicate balance, I would prefer if the Deputy did not pursue the matter.

Being a responsible Member of the House I can only respond positively. If we had left the question until tomorrow perhaps we would have been in a position to get a reply.

I thank the Deputy.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.

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