Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
137. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the implications for agencies funded by his Department that fail to comply with consolidated public sector pay scales by continuing to make top-up payments to staff; when he expects this issue to be definitively resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10920/14]
View answerThe Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the Institute of Public Administration (IPA), which are the bodies directly under the auspices of my Department have confirmed to the Department that they are in compliance with public service pay policy and that no top-up payments are made outside the pay scales in use.
The ESRI salary scales are not sanctioned by me as Minister but must be approved by the Council of the Institute. I am advised that administration staff salaries in the Institute are linked to the Civil Service and HSE salary scales. Research Staff salaries are linked to UCD pay scales, adjusted to reflect different terms and conditions compared to the Universities.
For completeness, my Department sought similar confirmation from the Special EU Programmes Body and the bodies incorporated by Votes 14, 16, 17 and 19 i.e. the State Lab, Valuation Office, Public Appointments Service and Office of the Ombudsman. All the bodies concerned have also provided assurances that they are in compliance with public service pay policy.
