Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 March 2013
191. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total cost to the taxpayer of paying the aggregate fees, salaries and any other remuneration to directors of all State bodies, to include majority State owned banks, all public interest directors, all semi-State bodies, all State agencies and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15405/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that there are 18 State bodies, including Regulatory Authorities under the aegis of my Department. Of these there are 15 whose boards are appointed in whole in or in part by the Minister and/or the Government. Appointments to State owned banks do not come under the remit of my Department. The majority of boards, under the aegis of my Department, are not funded directly by the taxpayer as they are either commercial semi-State companies or are funded by industry levies. Some bodies also generate their own revenue in addition to being funded by the Exchequer, I am, however, including details of all bodies, for completeness.
Details of the boards under the aegis of my Department and the remuneration applicable to members, is set out in the following tables. The Deputy will be aware that the One Person One Salary policy introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform provides that serving public sector employees are not eligible to receive remuneration in relation to their membership of boards of State bodies. The Deputy will also be aware that non-public sector board members may choose to voluntarily waive their fees as a matter of personal choice in recognition of the current difficult economic circumstances. Both of these policy initiatives of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have been brought to the attention of the bodies under the aegis of my Department. Consequently, the remuneration details in the table below refer to fees that may be payable and are not indicative of fees actually being received by board members. The payment of board members’ fees and expenses is an operational matter for each State body.
Category and Rates of Fees for Bodies Under the Aegis of DCENR
Commercial Bodies
|
Body |
Classification |
Category |
Board fees Applicable |
|
An Post |
Commercial |
Category 1 Maximum number of members 15 |
Chair: €31,500 Director: €15,750 |
|
Bord Gais Eireann |
Commercial |
Category 1 Maximum number of members 9 |
Chair: €31,500 Director: €15,750 |
|
Bord na Móna |
Commercial |
Category 2 Maximum number of members 12 |
Chair: €21,600 Director: €12,600 |
|
EirGrid |
Commercial |
Category 2 Maximum number of members 10 |
Chair: €21,600 Director: €12,600 |
|
Electricity Supply Board |
Commercial |
Category 1 Maximum number of members 12 |
Chair: €31,500 Director: €15,750 |
|
Raidió Teilifís Éireann |
Commercial |
Category 1 Maximum number of members 12 |
Chair: €31,500 Director: €15,750 |
|
Teilifís na Gaeilge |
Commercial |
Category 2 Maximum number of members 12 |
Chair: €21,600 Director: €12,600 |
Non-Commercial Bodies/Regulators
|
Body |
Classification |
Category |
Board fees Applicable |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland |
Regulatory |
Category 4 Maximum number of members 9 |
Chair: €8,978 Director: €5,985 |
|
Commission for Communications Regulation |
Regulatory |
No Board – 3 Commissioners |
No Fees Applicable |
|
Commission for Energy Regulation |
Regulatory |
No Board – 3 Commissioners |
No Fees Applicable |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency |
Non-Commercial |
Category 3 Maximum number of members 14 |
Chair: €11,970 Director: €7,695 |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland |
Non-Commercial |
Category 3 Maximum number of members 10 |
Chair: €11,970 Director: €7,695 |
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation |
Non-Commercial |
Category 2 Maximum number of members 5 |
Chair: €21,600 Director: €12,600 |
|
Loughs Agency |
North-South Body |
*Category 3 Maximum number of members 12 |
Chair: €11,970 Director: €7,695 |
|
The Mining Board |
Non-Commercial |
Fees per day/sitting Maximum number of members 3 |
€587.97 per day for public and private sittings. €200.93 per full day for any necessary attendance (other than sittings) in discharge of the Boards business. |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency |
Non-Commercial |
Category 4 Maximum number of members 6 |
Chair: €8,978 Director: €5,985 |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Non-Commercial |
Category 3 Maximum number of members 10 |
Chair: €11,970 Director: €7,695 |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland |
Non-Commercial |
Category 3 Maximum number of members 12 |
Chair: €11,970 Director: €7,695 |
*The Irish Exchequer pays half of the cost of Loughs Agency board fees.
