Enda Kenny
Ceist:5 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the projected cost to his Department of paying the next phase of the benchmarking award; the number of staff to which it applies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28823/03]
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Benchmarking Awards.
The cost of the next phase of the benchmarking award to my Department, payable in January 2004, is estimated at €491,000. This increase has been calculated in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines. As per the Department of Finance guidelines, all staff under the grade of assistant secretary level are entitled to receive the benchmarking increase.
In my Department, the number of staff to receive this award is 205.4, that is, staff on salaries below the minimum of the assistant secretary scale, which is €92,949. However, also included in the €491,000 projected figure are benchmarking costs for other staff, not counted in our Department numbers, but who fall to be paid from our pay subhead. Examples of such individuals are: secretaries to former Taoisigh, three in total; staff in the office of the Leader of the Seanad, two in total; and some other grades.
The Civil Service performance verification group, or PVG, issued its reports on 15 December 2003 in respect of the individual Civil Service Departments or offices that report to it, and the Civil Service as a whole. The PVG recommended that the pay increases are warranted for my Department.
In particular, it found there was no industrial action in respect of any matters covered by the agreement, and that there had been co-operation with flexibility and ongoing change.
As regards progress on our modernisation agenda, the group highlighted progress on the Department's programme of internal audit and expenditure reviews, the development of the e-Cabinet system, the development of the customer charter, and the preparations for the implementation of further modules of the management information framework and human resource management systems, including the devolution of some HR responsibilities.
The group also acknowledged the innovative measures relating to training and development which had been developed by the Department. The group indicated that it looked forward to this progress being maintained and developed in these areas during the next phase of the verification process.
There are five performance verification groups covering the Department of Health and Children, local government, the Civil Service, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Education and Science. How many of these have reported? In respect of those that have not reported, when does the Taoiseach expect they will do so?
The question refers specifically to the Department of the Taoiseach.
The Taoiseach might be able to answer it anyway because he has all the answers in his brief.
It might be more appropriate for the Deputy to table questions to the Ministers responsible.
I do not have all the information but the report certainly covers the full Civil Service group, as distinct from a Department, and it has been cleared. If the other reports are not out yet, they will have to be produced shortly because the first part of these payments will be made in January.
Are copies of the Civil Service performance verification group's reports available?
Yes, and they come under the FOI Act but a statement is available on the Civil Service one that I made.