Departmental Bodies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2012

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Questions (506)

Eamonn Maloney

Question:

506. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 502 of 13 November 2012, if he will explain the purpose of the allowance paid to staff of the National Disability Authority at Assistant Principal level in terms of the additional work carried out or additional responsibilities held or additional services provided by the staff that receive this allowance, that is, what the employer receives in return for the allowance. [52501/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy Kathleen Lynch)

The allowance in question was made as a pay award under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work (PCW) which was agreed in 1999 for Assistant Principal and Principal Officer grades on a selective basis across the Civil Service. The intention of such an allowance, as agreed with the Unions, was the enhancement of efficiency and effectiveness, rewarding of special or scarce skills etc. The scheme provided for regrading e.g. from Assistant Principal to Assistant Principal (Higher) where this was regarded as appropriate within the terms of the scheme.