Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 4

Written Answers. - Salary Arrears.

Gerry Reynolds

Question:

122 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in having claims, dating back to December 1995 for overtime worked, paid to clerical officers assigned to the higher scale who were former assistant officers of Customs and Excise. [19116/00]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that 21 clerical officers, who were former assistant officers of Customs and Excise, were assigned to the grade of clerical officer, higher scale, on a seniority basis as part of the agreement on restructuring of grades represented by the Civil and Public Service Union, including clerical grades.

Assignment to the clerical officer grade could only begin in December 1999. However, the 21 clerical officers who were former assistant officers of Customs and Excise had a different salary scale to all other clerical officers and a specific salary scale had to be calculated by the Department of Finance for this group. This was received by Revenue on 4 May 2000 and the relevant officers received their arrears of salary on 2 June 2000.

Further assignments to the clerical officer, higher scale on the basis of seniority are at present being made. When the assignments to the clerical officer, higher scale on a seniority basis are completed, and when all those are paid arrears of salary, the payment for arrears of overtime will then commence.

It is not possible to give a precise date; however, this is not likely to commence prior to September 2000.