Monica Barnes
Question:128 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give a progress report on the benchmarking process as it relates to teachers pay. [22947/01]
Written Answers. - Benchmarking Process.
The establishment of the public service benchmarking body was agreed under the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. It is a totally independent body, chaired by a high court judge. The public service benchmarking body drew up an operational plan which it agreed with all the parties and this is progressing on schedule. The procedures adopted by the benchmarking body are as envisaged in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness and are the same for all groups being examined. These procedures commenced with the delivery of written submissions by both the employers and the relevant trade unions and was followed by the completion of job evaluation questionnaires by a number of randomly selected teachers representing the grades of principal, deputy principal, assistant principal, special duties teacher and teacher. That stage has now been completed and the benchmarking body is currently finalising its own independent research. The findings of this research will be supplied to each party not less than three weeks prior to the commencement of oral hearings by the benchmarking body. The oral hearing for teachers has been scheduled for 4 December 2001. The submissions, research and oral hearings will inform the benchmarking body's deliberations and they will recommend rates of pay for all of the groups, including teachers. One of the essential features of the benchmarking process is that it will look at all of the key public service groups as part of one exercise and that there will be one comprehensive report. The public service benchmarking body has been asked to produce their report by the 30 June 2002.
Although employers and unions will have to negotiate the how and when of implementation, they will not be renegotiating the recommendations themselves. An agreement reached between the Government and the trade unions in December 2000 provides for payment of 25% of any increase with effect from 1 December 2001. This will be paid immediately on receipt of the report of the benchmarking body.