Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Departmental Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2011

Tuesday, 20 September 2011

Ceisteanna (173)

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

200 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of new Secretaries General and their senior staff appointed to Departments since 9 March 2011 whose appointments were in accordance with the Top Level Appointments Committee arrangements which include provision for substantial severance payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25006/11]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There have been four Secretaries-General appointed to Government Departments since 9 March 2011 as follows, Mr. Robert Watt (Department of Public Expenditure & Reform), Mr. Martin Fraser (Department of the Taoiseach), Mr. Brian Purcell (Department of Justice & Equality) and Mr. Jim Breslin (Department of Children & Youth Affairs). The severance arrangements to which the Deputy refers only apply to Heads of Departments and not to other senior level appointments in Departments.

Their appointments were made in line with Government Decision of 5 March 1987 concerning appointments of Secretaries General of Departments which provides for early retirement terms and a special severance gratuity. These arrangements are currently under review and I expect that proposals will be brought to Government in due course. I should also point out that I will before the end of this month introduce the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011. This will propose a career averaged rather than final salary pension for Single Scheme members. In addition, the Bill provides that abatement will apply for a civil or public service pensioner who takes up a public service position. There will be no provision for added years or severance payments in that Bill.

Question No. 201 answered with Question No. 196.
Barr
Roinn