New chiefs could net €160k salaries

The new directors to be appointed to the HSE could remain on salaries of €160,000 or more once they are chosen from senior positions within the agency.

James Reilly said yesterday the seven new directors would be chosen from existing senior staff in the executive.

His spokesman confirmed some of the directors would likely be chosen from the pool of national directors currently working in the HSE.

Some of these are on salaries of €160,000 or more. This means that they will remain on their existing salaries. The new directors would be on secondment, the spokesman added.

The HSE’s management team, including chief executive Cathal Magee and 10 directors, are being replaced by a director general and six new director posts as part of the first step in the phased abolition of the HSE.

Sinn Féin said yesterday it had received information from the Department of Health which showed 110 HSE staff were on pay of €100,000 or more. Health spokesman Caoimhgín Ó Caoláin called for a €100,000 cap on HSE pay.

HSE chief executive Cathal Magee announced his decision to step down yesterday but waived his right to receive further benefits and salary.

Mr Magee is close to finishing two years of his five year contract. He started his term as health chief in 2010 on a salary of €322,000.