HSE Audit: Barnardos staff paid more than HSE rates

A HSE audit of children’s charity Barnardos found the CEO and senior management salaries were paid in excess of health sector pay rates and that unclear information was provided to the board and to the media in relation to the CEO’s salary and his donations.

The internal audit, which examined records covering the period 2012 to 2015, found Fergus Finlay was paid more than the maximum on the HSE scale for assistant national director primary, community and continuing care, even though the chair of the board of Barnardos had approved a proposal to link his pay to that particular scale in 2010.

Mr Finlay’s gross salary in 2014 was €114,651 based on a salary of €111,711 for six months and €117,511 for six months. His pay scale as of December 31, 2014, was €117,511.