Vol. 571 No. 3
283 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of staff employed by her Department; the bodies within its aegis which are covered by the benchmarking agreement; the projected costs in 2004 of paying this award; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21654/03]
There are currently 4,309 posts filled in my Department by 4,710 staff. The five non-commercial State bodies under the aegis of the Department covered by the report of the Public Service Benchmarking Body are the Combat Poverty Agency, the Pensions Board, Comhairle, the Family Support Agency and the Pension Ombudsman's office. It is estimated that expenditure during 2004 in relation to the increases recommended by the Public Service Benchmarking Body for the Department and the state bodies under its aegis will be in the region of €10.7 million.
