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Exchequer Savings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Questions (770)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

770. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the full year saving to the Exchequer if all State agency board members fees, non-commercial State-sponsored bodies and commercial semi-State companies, under the aegis of his Department were reduced by 25%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39276/13]

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Written answers

Based on the annual fees currently payable to members of the boards of statutory agencies and national cultural institutions funded from my Department's Vote, I am advised that an annual saving of approximately €63,600 would accrue to the Exchequer, if fees were to be reduced by 25%. It should be noted that some members of boards that are also public servants are not entitled to claim fees due to the 'one salary' rule. In addition, some board members have waived their fee on a voluntary basis.

However, the Deputy should also note that, in the context of the Government Public Service Reform Plan, members of boards or councils at a range of bodies/institutions will serve without a fee. Pending the enactment of legislation to enshrine this new approach, I have written to the relevant organisations to request that they implement this approach voluntarily. In addition, the boards of a number of the bodies in question will be scaled back to a maximum number of 9 members each, including the Chair. In line with this approach, I took the opportunity, when appointing the new board of the Irish Film Board earlier this year, to reduce by 100% the fees formerly payable to the Chairperson and ordinary members and that board is now operating pro bono .

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