Consultants offered €216,000 a year to back new contracts

The HSE has reportedly increased its pay offer to consultants as part of negotiations on a contentious new contract that would see them work exclusively in public hospitals.

Reports this morning say consultant groups are now being offered annual salaries of up to €216,000 if they sign up to the new contracts.

The new salary scale represents increases of up to €18,000 per year in some cases over those put forward by the HSE several months ago.

However, a proposed bonus scheme has reportedly been dropped and consultants would not be allowed to seek extra salary increases from the review body currently examining pay in the top levels of the public sector.