Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2011
149 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance when the review of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009 will take place; the length of time the review will take; when the results of this review are likely to be prepared and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11842/11]
View answerThe Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act, 2009 provided for the reduction in remuneration of public servants with effect from 1 January 2010. Section 7 of the Act requires that the Minister for Finance undertake a review of the operation, effectiveness and impact of this Act, having regard to the overall economic conditions in the State and national competitiveness, before 30 June 2011. It is my intention, in accordance with the requirements of the Act, to lay a written report of the outcome of the review to each House of the Oireachtas shortly thereafter.
150 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views whether the stated purpose of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009, to reduce the significant shortfall between expenditure and revenue is served by applying section 2 to workers paid exclusively through privately raised funds in fee-paying school but who are classified as public servants for the purpose of the Bill, thus decreasing tax revenue for the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11843/11]
View answerThe Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 provides for the reduction in the pay rates of all persons employed by public service bodies within the meaning of the Act with effect from 1 January 2010. Such reductions apply irrespective of whether a particular post is funded in whole or in part through non-Exchequer funds or income.
The staff of recognised schools are, whether employed in recognised public or private schools, deemed to be public servants within the meaning of and for the purposes of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009. This position has been confirmed by legal advice.
Differentiation between workers paid exclusively through privately raised funds in recognised fee-paying schools and those funded in whole or in part through Exchequer funds would create difficulties as there is a variety of staff across the education sector who are employed by public service bodies but who are either wholly or partly funded from non-Exchequer sources. Within this cadre, there are also staff undertaking the same or similar duties to staff who are fully Exchequer funded. It would be inequitable and inappropriate to exempt the staff paid exclusively through privately raised funds from the pay reductions while other staff continued to be subject to the legislation.
