Number at IDA earning over €100,000 falls by a fifth to 11

The number of high earners at the IDA earning over €100,000 last year fell by over a fifth, to 11.

Figures in response to a freedom of information request show the agency employs two staff earning between €150,000 and €200,000, with an other nine earning between €100,000 and €150,000.

That compares to the two people who were earning between €150,000 and €200,000 and 12 staff earning between €100,000 and €150,000 in 2014.

A breakdown of the latest IDA figures shows the two top earners receiving between €150,000 and €200,000 are based in Ireland.

IDA chief executive Martin Shanahan accounts for one of the high earners with a salary of €168,210.

Six other staff members in Ireland earn €100,000 to €150,000.

A further three staff who earn between €100,000 and €150,000 are based overseas. The IDA operates a large network of overseas offices.

The 11 staff occupy leadership roles in the organisation that oversaw last year the highest level of employment in IDA client companies in the organisation’s 67-year history.

Its pay is aligned to pay scales across the public service.

Its FoI unit said releasing information highlighting IDA salaries paid in overseas’ locations “would be damaging to IDA Ireland’s competitive position.”

Sister agency Enterprise Ireland confirmed the number of high earners on over €100,000 was unchanged last year.

One staff member earns between €150,000 and €200,000 and 17 others earn €100,000 to €150,000.

Enterprise Ireland’s annual report shows chief executive Julie Sinnamon has a salary of €157,497.