INO conference: 526 HSE managers earn up to €79,000

UP to 526 senior Health Service Executive managers are earning between €66,000 and €79,000 per year — compared to just eight six years ago.

There were audible gasps from delegates at the Irish Nurses Organisation when this figure was revealed by a north-western delegate at this year’s conference. The executive says the sharp increase is due to the various industrial relations agreements which created new posts. They argued that high numbers of clinical nurse managers are also now earning commensurate salaries.

During yesterday’s conference, the executive came under sustained attack from delegates over the planned staff freeze with Professor Brendan Drumm being attacked for taking a €80,000 bonus when hospital services are being cut back.