Vol. 573 No. 3
277 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the basis on which entitlement to benchmarking has been assessed in relation to persons whose employment under the scheme of secretarial assistance for Oireachtas Members ceased in June 2002; if benchmarking is applicable to lump sum payments received by such former employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25559/03]
Under the terms of an agreement reached between the employers and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on an adjustment to the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, one quarter of any increase arising from the report of the Public Service Benchmarking Body was to be implemented with effect from 1 December 2001. The pay of secretarial assistants has been increased on this basis in line with the recommendation for clerical officers in the Civil Service. Personnel employed for any period since 1 December 2001 are entitled to an adjustment to their pay in respect of that period, regardless of whether their employment has now ceased. Lump sum payments for secretarial assistants who ceased employment since 1 December 2001 and which are calculated by reference to basic pay should also be increased on this basis. I understand that the Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas is processing such payments.
