Fifteen staff at NTMA earn more than Kenny

Fifteen employees at the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) earn more than the Taoiseach Enda Kenny — even after a 15% pay cut.

Data provided by the finance minister, Michael Noonan, show 15 staff in the NTMA earn more than €200,000 per annum.

Four of these work for the National Asset Management Agency (Nama), which operates under the NTMA umbrella. One employee earns between €400,001 and €500,000, with four others earning between €300,000 and €400,000.

In a written response to independent deputy Finian McGrath, Mr Noonan confirmed that a further 10 employees earn between €201,000 and €300,000; 32 earn between €150,001 and €200,000, and 105 earn between €100,001 and €150,000.

Mr Kenny has an annual salary of €200,000 while ministers are on €169,275.

Of the 32 earning between €150,000 and €200,000 in the NTMA, 18 work in Nama, and of the 105 earning between €100,000 and €150,000, 71 are employed by Nama. There are 142 of the 500 staff at the NTMA in receipt of €100,000 or more per annum.

In spite of the 15% salary cut, chief executive of the NTMA, John Corrigan, receives more than twice what Mr Kenny earns, at €416,500, while Nama chief, Brendan McDonagh is on €365,500.

Mr Noonan said: “All 15 NTMA employees whose salaries exceeded €200,000 agreed to the Minister for Finance’s request of December 2011 that they waive 15% of salary or such amount of salary as exceeds €200,000 if application of the full 15% reduction would bring their salary to below €200,000.”

Mr Noonan said: “Under the NTMA business model, its remuneration structure is such that there are no general pay grades and no pay scales and all staff are on individually negotiated contracts.”

Separate figures in relation to the Revenue Commissioners show 77 earning over €100,000, including three who earn between €150,000 and €200,000.

A further 179 staff at Revenue get between €80,000 and €100,000.

The salaries compare favourably with the best-paid civil servants.

In reply to Mr McGrath, Mr Noonan also confirmed that only one employee in his department earns over €200,000, with two earning between €150,000 to €200,000, and a further 15 getting between €100,000 and €150,000.

In relation to the Department for Children and Youth Affairs, Minister Frances Fitzgerald told Mr McGrath in a Dáil response that one official earns between €150,000 and €200,000 with 12 receiving between €100,000 and €150,000.

Health Minister James Reilly confirmed three staff in his department earn between €150,001 and €200,000 with a further 14 earning between €100,001 and €150,000.