I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 313 together.
Payment of remuneration, including bonuses, pension entitlements, allowances etc. for both the CEOs and staff of the agencies under the remit of my Department is a day to day matter for the individual agencies and I have no function in the matter.
The CEOs of a number of agencies under the aegis of my Department are eligible to participate in a Performance Related Award Scheme approved by the Minister for Jobs Enterprise, and Innovation, with the consent of the Minister for Finance. The Schemes, which are based on the Department of Finance’s Guidelines on Performance Related Awards in non-commercial state bodies, provide for a maximum award of 20% of total remuneration. Approval for such awards is a matter for the Board of the relevant body. These Performance Related Awards have been suspended since April 2009.
I have asked the Agencies to respond directly to Deputy Pringle on the matter.