I propose to take Questions Nos. 194, 195 and 197 together.
Since becoming Minister I have written to the Chairpersons of University Governing Bodies requesting them to ask all relevant individuals, including Presidents, who earn in excess of €200,000, to make voluntary waivers of salary. While two individuals, one of whom is a university Head, have agreed to make personal arrangements with their employer regarding a deduction of the amount of salary over €200,000, there have been no voluntary waivers made for the benefit of the State.
I cannot enforce a voluntary waiver nor can I insist that a waiver, if made, follows any particular format. For example, if an employee chooses to waive a portion of his/her salary in favour of a charity or their employer they are free to do so.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government has decided that a salary ceiling of €200,000 will apply to future appointments to senior positions across the Public Service.
The current approved total remuneration in respect of each university Head is as follows:
Trinity College, Dublin: €201,492.
University College, Dublin: €202,118.
University College, Cork: €232,151.
NUI, Galway: €202,118.
Dublin City University: €193,843.
NUI, Maynooth: €189,474.
University of Limerick: €193,843.
Heads of universities are not entitled to allowances or other additional remuneration apart from reasonable vouched expenses, e.g. travelling and subsistence, incurred in the performance of their duties.