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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 3

Written Answers. - Benchmarking Awards.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

137 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of staff employed by his Department; the bodies within its aegis which are covered by the benchmarking agreement; the projected costs in 2004 of paying this award; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21646/03]

The number of staff employed in my Department as of 30 June 2003 is 1,162. The authorised number of whole-time equivalent staff in the education sector as a whole at the beginning of 2003 was almost 79,000.

Payments are made to various grades covered by the benchmarking report. These different grades are employed in almost all educational institutions/bodies under the aegis of my Department including first and second level schools, higher education institutions as well as various committees, commissions and authorities that operate in the education sector.

While the 2004 Estimates have not been finalised yet, it is estimated that the increased cost of paying the benchmarking award in 2004 in the education sector will be in the region of €300 million.

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