Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 July 2015
172. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the annual saving to her Department and the bodies under its aegis if all the fees for all State agency, non-commercial State-sponsored bodies and commercial semi-State board members were reduced by 25%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26981/15]
View answerAs the terms 'State agencies', 'State-sponsored bodies' and 'semi-State board' may include bodies with a wide range of functions, the Deputy's question has been interpreted as encompassing all bodies with the title "Board", irrespective of their functions, as well as other bodies with a governance remit whose title does not include the term “Board”.
I can advise the Deputy that the total cost at present for the type of fees referred to in her question is €652,376. A reduction of 25 per cent in this figure would result in a saving of €163,094.
The Deputy should be aware that Board fees are not payable in certain circumstances where Board members are appointed in their capacity as a staff representative or officer of the Minister; where a Board member opts to waive his/her fee or part thereof; or where the principle of "One person, one salary" (OPOS) is deemed to apply. The aforementioned figures are based on the current circumstances of existing Board members and could be subject to change if, for example, the OPOS principle was no longer applicable or if Board members changed their decision to waive fees in future.
