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Government Buildings, Dublin. |
The Government today announced details of a pay ceiling for
senior roles in the Irish public service and chief executives in commercial
State companies.
The Government has agreed to the
introduction of :
-
a general pay ceiling of
€200,000 for future
appointments to higher positions across the
public service;
-
a general pay ceiling of
€250,000 for future
appointments to CEO posts within Commercial
State Companies
Where legislative
amendments are required to give effect to the decisions
(i.e. for Statutory Office Holders such as the Judiciary)
the Minister is to bring forward legislative proposals
shortly to the Oireachtas.
While the above
provisions will apply to new appointments to posts, the
Government has given detailed consideration to the potential
legal and contractual issues arising from the imposition of
an immediate reduction of salaries on current incumbents
(other than the Judiciary) whose salaries are in excess of
the proposed salary ceilings.
Voluntary waivers
of salary of 15%, or by a lesser amount if the application
of the full 15% reduction would bring the salary levels of
such individuals to below the proposed pay ceiling of
€200,000 for the public service and €250,000 for CEOs of
State companies will be sought.
Public Expenditure and Reform
Minister Brendan Howlin said: "In light of the ongoing
severe economic conditions facing the country there is a need for leadership to
be shown by those who hold high office across the public sector. The Government
supports a strong policy of pay restraint within the public sector, including
the application of pay caps. On assumption of office the Taoiseach, other
members of the
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Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin TD |
Government and a number of other officeholders have, in line with
that commitment, voluntarily reduced their salary rates, with the Taoiseach’s
salary now set at €200,000."
In imposing the pay ceilings for new
appointees, the Government said it recognises that in a small number of cases
exceptions may be necessary. Such exceptions will be limited to instances where
the exception is for a role of substantial importance in the public service or a
l State company and the person whose appointment is sought brings exceptional or
scarce expertise and/or qualifications to the proposed role. Any such exceptions
are subject to the prior approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and
Reform.