Rehab CEO entitled to a €84k bonus

The head of Ireland’s largest disability charity is entitled to a €84,000 a year bonus — and said independent experts claim her €240,000 pay should be 20% higher.

Rehab CEO Angela Kerins made the revelations during a seven-hour grilling at the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee yesterday.

During the meeting — which saw a no-show from Rehab’s financial experts; chair Brian Kerr; and ex-CEO and Fine Gael adviser Frank Flannery — Ms Kerins was repeatedly accused of stonewalling.

The night before, her legal advisers contacted the PAC to state what they felt politicians were and were not allowed to discuss.

However, despite insisting Rehab — which receives €83m a year from the State — is a private entity and as such, the public has no right to know pay packets, the PAC warned the lack of transparency will do more damage than good.

Under questioning, Ms Kerins admitted she is entitled to an annual bonus of up to 35% of her €240,000 salary. She said she has never received such a bonus, which would hit €84,000, and has waived the extra pay “voluntarily” since 2010.

However, the Rehab chief executive claimed she cannot remember what bonuses she received before 2010, and has “no idea” what her pension will ultimately be.

Ms Kerins also said a review by Towers Watson which decides on the pay packets said manager packages are 20% below median levels. She said semi-state CEOs receive an average salary of €291,000, a point contradicted by Sinn Féin TD Mary Lou McDonald who said the average Irish charity CEO salary is €59,000.

Ms Kerins said she sees no problem making a redacted version of this document, which set her salary at €240,000, public.

Ms Kerins said despite the controversy, she is a “private citizen” and claimed until recently she was never asked to reveal her salary.

After she said her “motivation is to get clarity for everybody”, Fine Gael TD John Deasy, responded: “You’ve been evasive… You need to get a grip. You are a charitable organisation with charitable status.”

No show

Angela Kerins’ predecessor, Frank Flannery, failed to appear at the PAC — despite being just metres from proceedings.

The long-time senior Fine Gael adviser was spotted in the grounds of Leinster House, as committee members were irate at his no-show.

The PAC requested his appearance alongside Ms Kerins, the disability charity’s chair Brian Kerr and its remuneration committee to clarify concerns. However, Ms Kerins said Rehab decided it would be “more appropriate” for other officials — who were unable to answer key financial questions — to attend.