Vol. 571 No. 3
258 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí and prison officers covered by the benchmarking award; the projected costs of paying this award in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21598/03]
259 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of staff employed by his Department; the bodies within its aegis which are covered by the benchmarking agreement; the projected costs in 2004 of paying this award; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21651/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the number of gardaí covered by the benchmarking award is 11,906. The estimated cost of paying this award in 2004 is €25.032 million. It should be noted that this figure also covers the cost of payment of the benchmarking award to approximately 1,178 civilian personnel who are paid through the Garda Vote.
Approximately 3,200 prison officers are covered by the benchmarking process. The Department of Finance has provided €5.726 million to cover the increased cost of pay and overtime in 2004 arising from this award. This has been provided for all prison service grades and 132 personnel attached to the head office of the Irish Prison Service and to the prison psychology, education and work and training co-ordination services. It is not possible, in the time available, to break down this amount between prison officers and administration personnel.
The number of staff in my Department and the bodies within its aegis covered by the benchmarking agreement, other than Garda Síochána and Prison Service staff which are detailed above, are set out in the following tabular statement. The projected benchmarking costs are also detailed.
|
Area ofDepartment |
Staff serving asat 31 August2003 |
Projectedbenchmarking costsin 2004. |
|
€m |
||
|
Head Office & Associated Offices |
1293.75 |
3.528 |
|
Forensic Science Laboratory |
59.2 |
Included in above figure. |
|
Legal Aid Board |
280.5 |
Included in above figure. |
|
Land Registry & Registry of Deeds |
656.25 |
1.043 |
|
Probation & Welfare Service |
321.3 |
0.455 |
|
Courts Service |
1030.5 |
1.934 |
