Country's top civil servant given another pay rise

Robert Watt was awarded an increase of €81,000 last year — and has since received a further €3,000 boost to his salary

Controversy has erupted about the process through which Robert Watt, the secretary general at the Department of Health, received his pay increases. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Robert Watt, the top civil servant controversially awarded an €81,000 pay increase last year, has received a further rise of nearly €3,000, six months after taking up the post, the Irish Examiner can reveal.

Mr Watt, who was appointed secretary general in the Department of Health on a salary of €292,000 last April, then got a €2,920 top-up in October.