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ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE working in Ireland’s third-level institutions are still enjoying salaries higher than the State wage cap of €200,000, it has emerged.
Three of those take home more than a quarter of a million euro a year – two at Trinity and one at UCD. However, the largest number of people on €200,000-plus salaries are at UCC, which accounts for just over a third.
Twenty are working at Trinity and 21 at NUI Galway, with UCD employing 17 and the University of Limerick five. Ireland’s 18 other third-level institutions pay nobody more than €200,000, with only 35 employees between them on salaries of €150,000-plus.
In June, public expenditure minister Brendan Howlin announced that all new recruits to senior positions the public service – such as top university lecturers – would have their wages capped at €200,000. The Government also looked for a voluntary 15 per cent reduction among existing high earners.
According to the Department of Education, 89 of the 100 employees are medical consultants who are employed as academics, whose pay is set by contracts agreed with the Department of Health.
Four are heads of universities, and the remaining seven are appointments made under Section 25 of the Universities Act – which allows institutions to go above standard public-sector pay if their governing bodies are satisfied that the employee is crucial to the university’s needs.
The Department told TheJournal.ie that a pay ceiling cannot be imposed on appointments made under such provisions, but added: “A review of the mechanisms and procedures underpinning such appointments is being undertaken.” It continued in a statement:
The government is taking measures to reduce salary costs at the highest levels across the public sector through the application of salary ceilings. Policy on rates of pay in the Education sector forms part of wider public pay policy.
The Irish Federation of University Teachers could not be reached for comment.
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Greedy greedy bastards this country is full of them !!!!!
The Irish Federation of University Teachers could not be reached for comment. No surprise there. What entertainment, just when the average SME is short of a painful gut splitting laugh. When it comes to gravy, oil tanker loads of it seem to slosh around third level. Eye watering holidays, salaries, pensions, and working hours that make two trips a week to the golf course look onerous. But the Croke Park Agreement is delivering ‘reform’, Minister Howlin assures the nation. Sure Brendan, sure.
Teachers give off about the withdrawal of SNA’s but their high salaries are not to be touched nor their ridiculous long holidays, not to mention every religious holiday going which leaves working parents struggling with ways to both work and have their kids minded, while the teachers have themselves yet another day off……… When are we going to get a government strong enough to take on the teachers and their union? Who at the slightest suggestion of change hold every parent in the country over a barrel.
Anyone posting here willing to take another paycut? No? Well don’t start asking others to then. HYPOCRITICAL
Can’t agree. Some one on modest pay can rightfully ask someone on 200k pa or more to take a cut will not being willing to take a cut themselves.
The fairly well borne out result of “diminishing happiness returns” shows that those paid in excess of €60,000 are taking the fiscal piss. (Daniel Kahneman, behavioural economist)
It cannot make you feel better about yourself unless you’re filled with petty jealousy.
Also, I know academics, where do they find the time to spend this money? They work extremely hard, albeit, they don’t do it for the money. They love their area of study. It’s why they do what they do.
Money isn’t the point. How could it be? Money exists specifically because it is not the purpose of our actions.
How cobbled are our leaders tongues that they can’t articulate a simple message to unions that speaks to their sensibilities?
“No, we’re not coming for tutors, demonstrators and lecturers on 15-40 grand a year… We want the executives and bursars please.”
Also, how the flock do unions figure they can pay their reps such ridiculous wages? Does it not make the most sense to keep them human and grounded with risk of avarice?
Academics across the board have had pay cuts imposed on them, including retired academics which was in breach if their contracts. It cannot be argued that senior administrators cant have their pay cut because it would be contrary to their contracts. Pass an Act which would reduce them.
have your say