Standard vs Higher Scale in Civil Service
- Thread starter bobby04
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Under some agreement some time ago, every department is allowed to assign 10% of its staff in certain (not all) grades to a higher scale pay. To get on to the higher scale, therfore, you need to be already on the standard scale. Elevation to the higher scale is meant to be on merit but given the difficulties of comparing this fairly, the practice in many departments is to given those with the longest service in the grade (including, therfore, those who couldn't get promoted from the grade 
).
The idea was good in theory, but in pracice it's been a bit of a mess that suits very few (apart from the 10% obviously) and annoys far more.
By higher scale, you may also be referring to the Depat of Finance practice of paying its staff more than the equivalent grades in other government departments. Officially, I think the purpose of this arrangement is to reflect the increased lvel of responsibilities that other departments just couldn't hack.
).The idea was good in theory, but in pracice it's been a bit of a mess that suits very few (apart from the 10% obviously) and annoys far more.
By higher scale, you may also be referring to the Depat of Finance practice of paying its staff more than the equivalent grades in other government departments. Officially, I think the purpose of this arrangement is to reflect the increased lvel of responsibilities that other departments just couldn't hack.
I don't think that is right. All new recruits to CS are paid at higher scale as they are paying higher rates of PRSI (Class A). The standard rate is paid to those who were recruited at Class B rate of PRSI, the lower pay reflecting the lower rate of PRSI they pay.
What staples is talking about is "uplift" rates of pay, an arbitrary way of "rewarding" the best 10% of any grades .
What staples is talking about is "uplift" rates of pay, an arbitrary way of "rewarding" the best 10% of any grades .
tinkerbell
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Yep I think thats its alright. I pay the higher rates and get the higher rate of pay but often wondered about it alright when I received the various salary scales
There are 2 pay rates - pre '95 and post '95 - and within each of those, a standard and higher scale.
The OP mentioned HEO, so [broken link removed] the link to the PSEU pay rates for that grade.
As an example the Point 1 on each scale for HEO is;
Pre '95 Standard €45,422
Pre '95 Higher €48,175
Post '95 Standard €47,812
Post '95 Higher €50,712
I've only worked in 2 different departments, but both of those assigned people to the higher scales on a competetitive basis, similar to a competetition for promotion (but scaled down).
The OP mentioned HEO, so [broken link removed] the link to the PSEU pay rates for that grade.
As an example the Point 1 on each scale for HEO is;
Pre '95 Standard €45,422
Pre '95 Higher €48,175
Post '95 Standard €47,812
Post '95 Higher €50,712
I've only worked in 2 different departments, but both of those assigned people to the higher scales on a competetitive basis, similar to a competetition for promotion (but scaled down).
With respect all around, I think I'm right.
The attached circular conatins two scales - one for pre-1995 and one for post.
WITHIN EACH SCALE, there are higher and standard sub-scales for some grades. Admission to the higher-scale posts is on the basis set out in my original post.
The differences between pre and post 1995 rates is a different matter. The increases in the pst 95 rates is to reflect the increased levels of PRSI that anyone coming into the civil service since that time is required to pay.
The attached circular conatins two scales - one for pre-1995 and one for post.
WITHIN EACH SCALE, there are higher and standard sub-scales for some grades. Admission to the higher-scale posts is on the basis set out in my original post.
The differences between pre and post 1995 rates is a different matter. The increases in the pst 95 rates is to reflect the increased levels of PRSI that anyone coming into the civil service since that time is required to pay.
F
Faceless CS
Guest
Staples got it right re the Higher and Standard scale in each grade. Government Departments have a large amount of discretion in choosing how to select staff for assignment to the Higher Scale. Most seem to be base it on seniority.
Staples also alluded to the fact that management grades (AP up) in central Departments (Finance & Taoiseachs) are paid more than counterparts in line Departments. Confusingly they are sometimes called AP Higher Scale etc., or more commonly AP1, PO1 etc.
Staples also alluded to the fact that management grades (AP up) in central Departments (Finance & Taoiseachs) are paid more than counterparts in line Departments. Confusingly they are sometimes called AP Higher Scale etc., or more commonly AP1, PO1 etc.