State agrees to €238k pay for new VHI chief

The Government has been accused of ignoring the needs of patients and ordinary health service workers after agreeing to breach a pay level for VHI’s new incoming chief by almost €48,000.

Ministers came under fire last night after it emerged they have agreed to pay a salary of €238,727 to John O’Dwyer, the health insurer’s new CEO.

The salary is tens of thousands of euro more than the amount originally agreed as a starting salary for the position.