Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2014
242. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the staff working in PeoplePoint carry out overtime work; the total amount spent on such overtime by PeoplePoint; if the overtime policy in PeoplePoint differs from the overtime policy in other sections of the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19610/14]
View answerDuring the period March to April 2014, some staff in PeoplePoint availed of the opportunity to work overtime. The total cost of this overtime was €16,056 gross. The request for overtime was sanctioned in accordance with the relevant guidelines for my Department. The overtime was applied for in advance to the Head of Strategic HR and was sanctioned on the basis of specific business needs pertaining at that time. Again, in accordance with standard practice in my Department, each individual overtime claim form is subject to authorisation by the HR Strategy Unit. Any further requests for overtime that may arise in PeoplePoint will be subject to the same sanction procedures.
The need for overtime can, on occasion, arise within certain Divisions and Business Units given the nature of the functions they carry out and issues of timing and deadlines. The approval of overtime is therefore sometimes necessary to ensure the effective operations of the Department. Nonetheless, I would like to assure the Deputy that every effort is made to limit and minimise the necessity for overtime, and PeoplePoint, like all other Business Units and Divisions across my Department, is required to restructure and adapt procedures and work practices where necessary to curtail the need for overtime.
