asked the Minister for the Public Service if he has yet introduced the regulations for the entitlement to merit pay and the system of awards he proposes.

A detailed scheme for the implementation of merit pay in the Civil Service, on the basis set out in paragraph 4.5 of the White Paper on the Public Service, is at present being drafted. Merit pay is one of the items in the White Paper which requires consultation with the parties affected. It is my intention that the necessary consultations with staff interests will take place in the new year and the scheme will then be introduced without delay. As indicated in the White Paper awards will be made to not more than 10 per cent of the staff in any grade or Department. Awards will vary within a range of 5 to 10 per cent of annual salary depending upon the degree of outstanding performance by the civil servants concerned. Because of the requirement for consultation to which I have already referred, it would not be appropriate for me to give further details of the proposed scheme at present.

Like many sections of the White Paper, this is very vague. Could the Minister not give any information? Is there an allocation of money in the 1986 Estimate for the Department of the Public Service which will provide for payment of the merit pay?

As the Deputy knows very well, it would not be appropriate for me to give an indication in advance of the publication of the Estimates as to what is or is not provided for within them.

It is not provided?

I said that I think it would not be appropriate for me or, as the Deputy knows, for any other Minister in advance of the publication of the Estimates to give any indication as to what may or may not be contained within them. That is standard practice.