The details of bonuses awarded to public service employees and State officials including semi-State agencies have been revealed.

The information was released in response to parliamentary questions by Fine Gael Spokesman on Education and Skills, Fergus O'Dowd.

Almost 100 extra payments were made to officials in the Department of Finance.

The former chief executive of the National Treasury Management Agency, Dr Michael Somers was paid €200,000 ($264, 260).

Mr O’Dowd said that the payments were unjustified at a time when social welfare rates have been cut.

The Department of Finance responded, saying the payments were only made to to assistant principals and principal officers in their department, under the terms of the 1994 National Pay Agreement and added that their pay has been cut by 17 percent in the last two years.

Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny called on the Prime Minister to completely review the pay of higher public servants.

Defending the bonuses Brian Cowen said they were part if the existing pay pots of those pay grades.