Wednesday, 21 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 93 - 100

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration

Questions (93)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

93. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the number of semi-State and State agency executives and employees on an agency by agency basis that have salaries of more than €100,000 per year; if he will provide this information in tabular form, detailing any additional allowances, bonuses and the annual cost to the Exchequer of any pension packages to such employees, in terms of tax reliefs or other costs; if he will provide this information for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52129/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

Information in respect of the number of semi-State agency executives and employees that have salaries of more than €100,000 per year, including any additional allowances and bonuses are included in the table.

As matters relating to pay and pensions are an administration matter for the bodies themselves the information requested by the Deputy in respect of the annual cost to the exchequer of any pension packages to such employees in terms of tax relief or other costs is not collated centrally. It is the case, however, that Civil servants employed in agencies under the aegis of the Department have their pensions calculated in accordance with Circular 33/2007.

- The Civil Service Superannuation Schemes. The Schemes can be viewed on the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform's website.

Name of Agency	Number of State Agency executives and employees in receipt of salaries in excess of €100,000 per annum for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012	Additional Allowances	Bonuses
Grangegorman Development Agency	2010 - 12011 - Nil2012 - 1	Nil	Nil
Higher Education Authority and Irish Research Council	2010 - 52011 - 52012 - 5	Nil	Nil
Leárgas	2010 - 12011 - 12012 - 1	Nil	Nil
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment	2010 - 32011 - 32012 - 4	Nil	Nil
National Council for Special Education	2010 - 12011 - 12012 - 1	Nil	Nil
Quality and Qualifications Ireland	2010 - 52011 - 52012 - 3	Nil	Nil
Redress Board	2010 - 62011 - 22012 - 1	Nil	Nil
Skillsnet	2010 - 12011 - 12012 - 1	Nil	Nil
State Examinations Commission	2010 - 22011 - 22012 - 2	2010 – 12011 - Nil2012 - Nil	Nil
Teaching Council	2010 - 12011 - 12012 - Nil	Nil	Nil

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration

Questions (94, 95)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

94. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the number of former semi-State agency executives or employees, on an agency basis, in receipt of pensions in excess of €90,000 per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52143/12]

John Halligan

Question:

95. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the number of former semi-State agency executives or employees, on an agency basis, in receipt of pensions in excess of €90,000 per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52155/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.

I can confirm, in respect of FÁS, 3 former members of staff are in receipt of pensions in excess of €90,000 per annum. Details of non commercial state agencies under the remit of my Department can be downloaded from my Department's website.

Public Sector Allowances Review

Questions (96)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

96. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if rates of public sector allowances benefitted from the benchmarking process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51781/12]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The approach of the Benchmarking Body in relation to allowances is referred to in Sections 6.5 and 6.6 of its Report in 2002 and also in sections 8.3 to 8.5 and sections 9.28 and 9.29 in its Report of 2007. In its first Report, the Body took account of certain allowances which were universally applicable to members of particular grades for purposes of comparison with the private sector. Other allowances were to be adjusted in accordance with custom and practice in their sectors.

In the second Report, the Body identified one case only, relating to Principals of primary schools, where a specific recommendation was made for the adjustment of allowances, and stated that the general position was that it was not intended that other allowances be increased. Furthermore, in order to avoid any doubt in the matter, the Body specifically stated that, where an increase in salary was recommended, it was intended to apply to basic salary only. No increase was recommended in any allowances payable except in a situation where an allowance may be expressed as a percentage of basic salary and thus moved automatically in line with salary.

Questions Nos. 97 to 103, inclusive, answered with Question No. 9.