Departmental Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2023

Tuesday, 28 February 2023

Ceisteanna (246)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

246. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the Office of Public Works has completed its review of the graduate architect scheme; his plans to ensure that all graduates on the scheme are paid the same, as opposed to currently, where the graduates seconded to the Departments of Education and Housing are paid more than the graduates seconded to the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10054/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

A review of the Graduate Architect Scheme is currently in progress and is expected to be completed shortly. The Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland pay graduate architects directly and set the pay scale for their graduates. The OPW reimburse the RIAI for this service. Pay increases for graduate architects are not a matter for individual Departments or Offices to negotiate as consistency across Civil Service Departments and relativities with wider pay scales are essential.