Plan to recoup ‘top-ups’ that breached rules

Department of Health chiefs will attempt to recoup substantial sums of taxpayers’ money used to pay ‘top-ups’ to senior hospital and health agency bosses.

Sources told the Irish Examiner the move is being considered after just one in every four of the groups now under scrutiny said they are complying with existing public pay rules.

Figures released last night by the department show that, of the 44 organisations under the spotlight, just 12 are adhering to vital money-saving ceilings almost two months after the basic information was sought.