Having regard to the ongoing severe economic conditions, the Government has introduced general policies in relation to the pay for future appointees to the Public Service and CEOs of Commercial State Companies. These policies are that a salary ceiling of €200,000 will apply to persons in higher positions across all sectors of the public service and a salary ceiling of €250,000 will apply to CEOs of Commercial State Companies. Current incumbents whose salaries are in excess of these salary ceilings have been requested to agree to a voluntary waiver of salary.
Revised rates for new appointments as academic consultants are to be prepared which will reflect the pay ceiling of €200,000. These new policies do not apply to medical consultants generally. The other health sector positions outside the Civil Service and which will be affected by this cap are the CEO of the HSE and the CEO of the VHI.
The CEO of the HSE has already agreed to a voluntary waiver of 15% of his salary.
I am aware that the CEO of the VHI had already announced his intention to resign his position and has given the required six months' notice, prior to the announcement of these new policies. The recruitment process for a new CEO has not yet commenced.