Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 21 Apr 1994

Vol. 441 No. 7

Written Answers. - Overtime Statistics.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

50 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Finance if any calculations have been carried out to arrive at a figure for overtime in Government Departments and State-sponsored Bodies, as individual questions tabled by Deputy Deasy to the Ministers responsible for a number of State bodies informed Deputy Deasy that it was a matter for the State bodies in question.

Minister for Finance (Mr. B. Ahern)

In relation to the figure for overtime in Government Departments, I would refer Deputy Deasy to my reply to his question of 3 March which furnished the information sought. As other Ministers have informed the Deputy, the working of overtime constitutes a day to day managerial function for State bodies and as such neither the Minister for Finance nor other Ministers have a direct function in the matter.

I would be concerned, however, as I am sure would other Ministers, if situations existed in State bodies where significant institutionalised overtime persisted, to the detriment of cost efficiency and employment opportunities. I would expect that the boards and management of State bodies would share my concerns in this regard and would be alive to the need to address any such situations. It is my intention at the first suitable opportunity to have this issue highlighted with the management of State bodies so that they will address it, as need be, in their own organisations.