Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 July 2013
889. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide, in tabular form the annual saving to the Exchequer if all his special advisors' pay was capped at the first point of the principal officer grade; if he will provide a list of all salaries, post-implementation of the Haddington Road agreement paid to his special advisors. [34629/13]
View answerAt the outset I wish to remind the Deputy that public service pay policy is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
In my capacity as Minister for Justice and Equality I have appointed Ms Jane Lehane and Mr. Thomas Cooney as my Special Advisors. They are both paid at the Principal Officer standard scale. At the time of their appointment the salary scale was €80,051-€98,424 and the only increases to their salaries have been by way of normal incremental progression.
Both have progressed to the 3rd point of the scale which would be approximately €6,000 above the 1st point; however, taking account of tax and pension related reductions the net savings to the Exchequer in capping their salaries at the 1st point would be considerably less that that figure.
The application of pay adjustments in accordance with the Financial Emergency Measure in the Public Interest Act has reduced their salary scale to €75,647-€92,550. Restrictions on the payments of increments under the Haddington Road agreement will apply in both cases.
