Gay Mitchell
Question:107 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the cost of benchmarking to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29255/03]
Written Answers. - Benchmarking Awards.
The total estimated cost of benchmarking to my Department is broken down in yearly cost as follows: 2003 –€11.991 million; 2004 –€ 11.594 million; 2005 –€3.581 million; 2006 –€2.558 million – making a total of €29.724 million.
Payment of the benchmarking awards, as well as other general round pay increases, is dependent upon verification of co-operation with flexibility and ongoing change; satisfactory implementation of the agenda for moderisation; maintenance of stable industrial relations and absence of industrial action in respect of any matters covered by Sustaining Progress. The verification is being carried out by the Civil Service performance verification group.