Directors' great payout from bookies

DIRECTORS at Paddy Power receive a 35% pay rise last year but employees at the bookmakers saw their average pay increase by 19%.

Figures released in Paddy Power plc's annual report for 2002 show total directors pay costs including fees, salaries, pensions costs, benefits and bonuses came to €1.63m in 2002 compared to €1.2m in 2001 - a 35% increase.

Employee pay costs rose to €25.4m in 2002 from €18.8m in 2001 as staff numbers rose to 856 from 757. However, the average employee costs, including wages, social welfare and pensions costs rose to €29,653, up 19% on the €24,941 figure for 2001.