Liz McManus
Question:44 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on his proposals for the implementation of the recommendations of the Review Body on Performance-Related Awards in the Public Sector. [29957/01]
Written Answers. - Performance-Related Awards.
The review body on higher remuneration in the public sector recommended that a new scheme of performance-related awards, based on 10% of the payroll for the group, should be introduced for secretaries general, deputy secretaries and assistant secretaries in the Civil Service. It was also recommended that, when the necessary conditions are in place, schemes of performance-related awards should be introduced for the commissioner, deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner ranks in the Garda Síochána and for top posts in local authorities and health boards. As regards non-commercial state-sponsored bodies, the review body recommended that the extension of schemes to the chief executives of these bodies, where they are not already in operation, should be considered by the parent Departments in consultation with the Department of Finance.
The Government decided that performance-related awards should not be introduced for secretaries general or for the Garda Commissioner because of the nature of the working relationship between people at this level and Ministers. However, the recommendations of the review body in relation to the other groups have been accepted. The Government also decided that an awards scheme should be applied to the ranks of brigadier general and major general in the Defence Forces.
The new scheme for deputy secretaries and assistant secretaries, and other posts at equivalent levels, in the Civil Service is being introduced from 1 January 2002. The new scheme will replace an existing scheme, based on 4% of the payroll, which applies to assistant secretaries. My Department will consult other relevant Departments about the introduction of awards schemes in the areas outside the Civil Service.
I have also established the Committee for Performance Awards which was recommended by the review body on higher remuneration in the public sector to oversee the new scheme of performance related awards for deputy secretaries and assistant secretaries in the Civil Service and certain other posts.
Question No. 45 answered with Question No. 38.