Extra bonuses available at Irish Water

Irish Water has admitted its bosses can earn bonuses on top of bonuses, on the same day as a new opinion poll found one in three people are still refusing to pay the firm’s reduced charges.

The utility and its parent firm, Ervia, were forced to confirm the situation after the issue was uncovered by RTÉ’s This Week programme yesterday.

Previously, private documents show a small number of high-level workers within Irish Water can obtain an extra bonus payment of up to 3% of their salary, in addition to separate performance-related payments.

Under the until-now secret scheme, a staff member’s bonus can be increased by a factor of one to one if overall company targets are hit — the first bonus — with a second increase based on the “compound figure” if the individual section’s targets are also achieved.

In real terms, this means a person on a 10% bonus payment can receive an extra payment of 12.1% of their salary, in another cost that will be picked up by the taxpayer.

While no bonuses have been paid out due to an ongoing review of pay at the firm, Ervia admitted the multiplier bonus system is still in place — an issue the utility claimed was only for “exceptional circumstances” and could reduce costs if targets are not being met.

The spokesperson — who said it is “unfortunate” the new pay structure set up to replace “the traditional and much-criticised public sector increments model” is still being “caricatured as a bonus culture” — stressed the pay model caps bonuses “at 15%” at Irish Water and at 19% within Ervia.

The comment was repeated by Ervia chief executive Michael McNicholas, who insisted the payments are not bonuses.

Meanwhile, a new opinion poll has found while 40% will pay water charges 30% are refusing to sign up.

Elsewhere, Socialist Party TD Paul Murphy again defended the right of people to protest the charges — despite concerns of violent or threatening events.

He said the arrests of people in Jobstown over events involving Tánaiste Joan Burton are “not acceptable” and if they continue a “significant response”, including a mass protest next weekend, may be needed.