Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 October 2012
14. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to include senior civil pay scales in his review of the grading structure of the civil service and public service. [43493/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Public Service Reform Plan my Department is reviewing the grading structure of the Civil Service. The Review will examine the number and distribution of management grades across the Civil Service, the percentage of the pay bill accounted for by such grades and taking account of organisational needs and best practice, assess the scope to reduce the number of management grades. In line with the commitment in the Public Service Reform Plan, this review will be completed by end June 2013. Preliminary work has been commenced on the Review with a view to completing the assessment in conformity with the Reform Plan timetable. Review of the grading structures in other sectors of the Public Service is a matter for the relevant parent Department in each case.
Pay rates at senior levels in the public service have already been reduced by up to 15% and an additional progressive pension related reduction applied through the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts of 2009. Pay rates for senior civil and public service employees, as for salary rates for all public servants will continue to be addressed as part of the Government’s overall public service pay policy. In line with this policy, the Government adopted my proposal in June 2011 for the introduction of:-
- a general pay ceiling of €200,000 for future appointments to higher positions across the public service; and
- a general pay ceiling of €250,000 for future appointments to CEO posts within Commercial State Companies.
Following the outcome to the referendum on remuneration for the Judiciary the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Act, 2011 was enacted. This Act provided for the application of the pay reduction and the pension levy to serving members of the judiciary and provided for reduced remuneration rates for newly appointed members of the judiciary with effect from 1 January 2012. The Act also made provision to bring certain Office holders (Comptroller and Auditor General and Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála) within the public service pay ceiling and for the reduction of remuneration for future appointees as President and the Office of Ombudsman. This legislation also formally provides for the reduction in the salary rates for members of the Government. Ongoing arrangements are being made on an administrative basis to implement the pay ceiling for future appointments where that is appropriate, for example within the Civil Service and the Heads of four Universities.
