Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

In my Department over the past three years, the following are the highest paid officials in the Department of Finance, in addition to officials in the newly established Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

In my Department over the past three years, the following are the highest paid officials in the Department of Finance, in addition to officials in the newly established Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

In April of 2009, the then Minister for Finance asked the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector to undertake a fresh review of top level public service pay, to take account of the changed budgetary and economic circumstances, the changed private sector pay environment, and to compare pay against that of other countries of comparable scale, particularly in the eurozone. The report was published in December of 2009.

Previously, the review body completed its last general review of top public service pay in September of 2007, but relevant increases recommended by that review were never implemented.

As a result of its 2009 examination of top level public service pay, the review body report of 11 December 2009 recommended reductions in pay varying from 8% to 15% generally. It also recommended that there be no increases in the pay of the higher public service groups, including any adjustments that might otherwise arise under national agreements before the end of 2012. For Secretaries General, the review group recommended a reduction of 15% for level 1 Secretaries General, that is, Secretaries General of the Departments of the Taoiseach and Finance. The Secretaries General concerned volunteered to accept a reduction of 20%. This resulted in a reduction in the salary of the Secretary General in the Department of Finance from €285,341 to €228,466 - a decrease of €56,875. This salary of €228,466 was the same as the salary for the Taoiseach.

Upon receipt of the December 2009 review body report, the Government decided to introduce a new reduced pay rate for Secretaries General, level 2, appointed after 1 July 2010 to align with the then salary of a Minister. This level applies to the Secretary General, public service management division in the Department of the Finance. This resulted in a 15% reduction in salary from €253,635 to €215,590 - a decrease of €38,045.

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