Nearly 400 civil servants earning over €100,000

As the last of the 9,000 public servants taking early retirement depart today, it has emerged almost 400 civil servants employed in government departments are earning six-figure sums, with 44 earning more than €150,000.

Wed, 29 Feb, 2012 - 00:00

Stephen Rogers

New figures show that of the 15 departments, Justice, Equality and Law Reform has the largest number (55) earning €100,000 or above.

It is followed by Foreign Affairs (42), Agriculture (41), and Social Protection (37).

In the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which is charged with reducing expenditure across the public sector, there are 27 earning over €100,000 and three earning over €150,000.

The figures, released following a parliamentary question from Independent TD Thomas Pringle, show that of the 44 civil servants earning over €150,000, nine are in the Department of Foreign Affairs and seven in the Department of Justice.

The bulk of public servants fall within the €30,000-€60,000 bracket.

Fianna Fáil finance spokesman Michael McGrath said the figures showed there was a gulf between those in the public service earning low-to-middle incomes and the most senior figures within the service, including politicians.

“Among them are the government advisers who are earning far in excess of the salary cap which the Government tried to impose but which has been broken in up to 15 cases,” he said.

“While the vast majority of public servants are not earning exorbitantly, the most senior public servants are comparatively well paid when you look at other jurisdictions.”

He said the issue of pay in the public service is referenced under the Croke Park deal on public service reform and he said when the next implementation report is issued, “everyone will be looking to see that substantial progress is being made”.

The public service will be 9,000 workers lighter than it was last September as those close to retirement leave early to avoid new pension arrangements which would cut their entitlements.

Yesterday, Public Service Reform Minister Brendan Howlin told the Dáil: “The Government has ensured that transition teams have been put in place in each of the sectors to deal with the specific, short-term challenges arising from the ending of the grace period and to manage the process in their respective sectors.

“I am satisfied that due consideration has been given by each of the sectors to the impact ofthe staffing reductions and the most appropriate and expeditious ways of managing these.

“ I would add that these departures represent less than 3% of staff serving in the public service, so it would be unduly alarmist to categorise them as a ‘wave’.”

The figures

By the end of today, 7,464 people will have left since the start of the year to add to the almost 2,000 who left between September and December of last year.

Here is the breakdown of those leaving under the early retirement initiative this year:

* Health: 2,567

* Education: 2,058

* Civil service: 1,236

* Local authority: 931

* Defence: 362

* Gardaí: 310

* Total: 7,464

The salaries

Civil servants employed within government departments earning over €100,000. The brackets signify the numbers earning over €150,000.

* Justice: 55 (7)

* Public expenditure and Reform: 27 (3)