Chief executives see bonuses plunge 66%

CHIEF executives in Ireland saw their bonuses plunge 66% last year while their pension schemes collapsed.

Non-executive chairman fees, however, increased by 3%, which a new study says reflects the greater time commitment that they are giving to their companies.

The average bonus paid to a chief executive last year was 19% of salary, compared to 60% in 2008, according to a survey conducted by Hewitt among the 69 companies listed on the Irish Stock Exchange.