Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 3

Written Answers. - Overtime Payments.

Joe Walsh

Question:

190 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the top ten overtime payments to persons in his Department and in State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of his Department in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24955/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The details requested by the Deputy in relation to the Department and to the State-sponsored bodies under its aegis, for 1996 to date, are as follows: 1, £13,030; 2, £10,313; 3, £10,258; 4, £8,628; 5, £8,570; 6, £8,172; 7, £7,958; 8, £7,790; 9, £7,455; 10, £7,415.

These payments were all made to officials of the Department. Overtime is necessary in the Department and in the State-sponsored bodies under its aegis to ensure that services are delivered in a timely manner. Overtime is worked in those areas where experience and-or special skills are necessary and in order to deal with peaks in the normal workload. Seasonal factors, such as budget changes, also necessitate overtime working.