Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in reducing the pay of those working in the third level sector who earn more than €200,000; the number of third level staff earning more than €200,000 who volunteered to take a pay cut since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36323/12]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of university heads who have volunteered to take a pay cut since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36324/12]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount that the head of each university in Ireland earns; if he will list all expenses that they are currently entitled to; if he will list all allowances that they are entitled to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36326/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 194, 195 and 197 together.

Since becoming Minister I have written to the Chairpersons of University Governing Bodies requesting them to ask all relevant individuals, including Presidents, who earn in excess of €200,000, to make voluntary waivers of salary. While two individuals, one of whom is a university Head, have agreed to make personal arrangements with their employer regarding a deduction of the amount of salary over €200,000, there have been no voluntary waivers made for the benefit of the State.

I cannot enforce a voluntary waiver nor can I insist that a waiver, if made, follows any particular format. For example, if an employee chooses to waive a portion of his/her salary in favour of a charity or their employer they are free to do so.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government has decided that a salary ceiling of €200,000 will apply to future appointments to senior positions across the Public Service.

The current approved total remuneration in respect of each university Head is as follows: Trinity College, Dublin: €201,492 University College, Dublin: €202,118 University College, Cork: €232,151 NUI, Galway: €202,118 Dublin City University: €193,843NUI, Maynooth: €189,474 University of Limerick: €193,843

Heads of universities are not entitled to allowances or other additional remuneration apart from reasonable vouched expenses, e.g. travelling and subsistence, incurred in the performance of their duties.