To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff in his Department received bonus payments in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09; what proportion of the total work force they represented; what the total amount of bonuses paid was; what the largest single payment was; and if he will make a statement. (300892)

Non-consolidated performance payments 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. These payments are made at the end of the reporting year to reward performance throughout the year retrospectively.

Under a separate scheme special performance payments are awarded to staff at grades D2 to A.

Figures for the last two years are set out in the following tables.