Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

Policy on rates of pay in the education sector forms part of wider public pay policy, including related commitments and reforms under the Croke Park agreement. Of the employees to whom the Deputy refers, 89 are academic medical consultants. Remuneration matters for medical consultants in the main falls within the remit of the Minister for Health. The other ten posts fall into two groups. The first are the four heads of level 1 universities. The revised pay ceiling of €200,000 per annum will apply to future appointments to these posts. The second group consists of six persons appointed under a framework provided for in section 25 (5) (a) of the Universities Act 1997. Remuneration in the case of these appointments is not subject to ministerial sanction and having regard to the Act a pay ceiling may not be imposed. This framework is being reviewed.

The terms of the Government's pay ceiling will be imposed in the case of new appointees. I have written to the chairpersons of the university governing bodies requesting them to ask those individuals who earn in excess of the pay ceiling of €200,000 to make voluntary waivers of salary. Details of the methodology of how such voluntary waivers are to be effected were issued by my Department at the end of October 2011. Given the short time since the arrangements were notified, it is reasonable to allow some time for this matter to be concluded. I assure the Deputy that I am keen to ensure progress is made on this important issue in the coming period.

See this speech in context