House of Lords written question – answered at on 14 June 2010.
Lord Laird
UUP
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much was paid to staff in the Northern Ireland Office in bonuses and payments extra to salaries in 2008-09 and 2009-10; and what percentage of staff received such payments.
Lord Shutt of Greetland
Captain of the Queen's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords) , Liberal Democrat Lords Chief Whip
Non-consolidated performance payments in the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) are made to staff in the Senior Civil Service in line with Cabinet Office guidance and also to staff at Grades D2 to A in line with HM Treasury guidance. Approximately 28 per cent of staff received non-consolidated performance payments, totalling £599,048.50, rewarding performance throughout the 2008-09 reporting year. Under a separate scheme, special performance payments were also awarded to staff in the year 2008-09. Approximately 49 per cent of staff received these payments, totalling £260,865. Figures for the 2009-10 financial year are not available at this time.
Yes2 people think so
No3 people think not
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