Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 September 2013
13. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of executives in the Health Service Executive on salaries of over €100,000 as of September 2013 and the comparable figure for January 2012; the salaries and other payments received in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40032/13]
View answerThe health service is the most complex sector of the Irish public service and employs approximately one-third of all public service staff. Despite the substantial reductions in financial and staff resources which have been necessary in recent years, the health budget accounts for approximately €13 billion annually. In addition, the health service is the subject of an ongoing major programme of reform in line with the Programme for Government. It is essential therefore that the health service is led by senior managers with the requisite skills and expertise to ensure safe and effective provision of services to the public during a period of major change. The number of executives in the HSE earning over €100,000 represents a very small proportion of overall staff numbers and the posts occupied by these staff are necessary for the safe and effective functioning of the the service.
In 2012, 121 HSE executives earned in excess of €100,000 and between them, total remuneration, including allowances and arrears, amounted to €14.6m. A high-level analysis of annualised payroll data from May 2013 indicates that at that time the number of executives on annual remuneration in excess of €100,000 was 129. In the short time available, it has not been possible to provide the detailed information requested by the Deputy; however the HSE has been asked to provide this information directly to him.
