Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín has slammed the decision by Ministers to massively increase the salaries of more semi-state CEO’s and has called for an immediate halt to increases
Speaking today, the Meath West TD said:
“The FF,FG, Independent government are creating a two tier society in the public service. They are jacking up CEO salaries by 30% in the name of remaining competitive in an international recruitment market yet we are losing thousands of badly needed health professionals because pay, terms and conditions are better abroad. 7,000 Irish health care staff are now registered to work in Australia. Numbers leaving has risen by 86% in 6 years. Why is the international recruitment market excuse not relevant to these people.
The increases being reported on today of three semi-state CEO’s being given huge salary increases are shocking. The CEO’s of the Dublin Port Company and the Port of Waterford are due to receive increases of up to €30,000 whilst Ministers have the audacity to tell ordinary people that there is no magic money tree for disability services, hospitals and roads.
The revelation that the CEO of Uisce Eireann is in line for a €100,000 salary bump when our water infrastructure is in such a dire mess is unbelievable. People across the country are frequently without water due to leaks, see discoloured water coming from their taps or are forced to boil water to make it drinkable. What could possibly be the justification for a pay rise for the head of an organisation that fails in its most basic duty?
I asked Uisce Eireann when all the gaps in the water infrastructure system will be filled that are blocking the building of homes. They said 2050. How that can be construed as anything other than failure by the government and Uisce Eireann, I don’t know.
Where is the productivity records of these CEOs that prove their worth for these massive pay increases.
My message is simple – if senior public service officials can’t deliver basic services in water, transport, hospitals, roads, disability services and other key areas, they should not receive massive pay rises. Also if international recruitment market pressures are logical for well paid CEOs, they are logical for Nurses and Gardaí.
The government often say there is no magic money tree, there is but not for ordinary people”
