Written answers

Tuesday, 6 December 2011

Department of Education and Skills

Third Level Staff

7:00 pm

Photo of Seán KennySeán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of employees across the third level sector earning €150,000 or more; and the number earning over €200,000 or more. [39013/11]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The information sought by the Deputy is as follows: The number of employees earning €150,000 & less than €200,000 is 105. The number currently earning €200,000 or more is 103. The Deputy will be aware that the Government has sought to achieve a pay ceiling of €200,000 per annum within the public sector. Of the 103 earning over €200,000 per annum, 94 are Academic Medical Consultants, remuneration for whom falls in the main within the remit of the Minister for Health. The Deputy will be aware that any changes to the terms and conditions of these 94 consultants will have to be considered in the context of the Minister for Health's approach towards the remuneration of all medical consultants 4 of the remaining appointments are Heads of Universities and the remaining 5 were appointed under a Framework provided for in Section 25 (5) (a) of the Universities Act, 1997.

Remuneration in the case of these 'Framework 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 at present at my request. Since becoming Minister for Education and Skills, I have personally 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 I think it is reasonable to allow some time for this matter to be concluded, but I can assure the Deputy that I am keen to ensure progress is made on this important issue in the coming period.

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