THERE ARE nearly 2,300 staff in the HSE receiving salaries of more than €100,000.
The figure, which was set out by Minister for Health James Reilly in an answer to a parliamentary question, includes medical consultants working in HSE hospitals.
However, the figure does not take account of high-earning medical consultants who are employed by voluntary hospitals or other non-HSE institutions such as St Vincent’s or the Mater in Dublin.
Dr Reilly told Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin of Sinn Féin that the precise number of HSE employees receiving more than €100,000 was 2,289.
Dr Reilly said the HSE had estimated that if these salaries were capped at €100,000, it would generate savings of about €153m.
Separately, Dr Reilly suggested that a cap on hospital consultants’ salaries of €150,000 could produce savings of about €100 million.
“It is not possible to calculate a precise figure in this regard, as the deputy has not specified what salary scale or other contractual remuneration arrangements he has in mind.
“Under the existing contracts, the total cost in 2010 of consultant remuneration, including payment for additional attendance and allowances for extra responsibilities but excluding employers’ PRSI, was approximately €470 million.
“If all consultants (who number approximately 2,500) were subject to an absolute cap on public earnings of €150,000, the total cost would amount to approximately €375 million.”
Dr Reilly said the salary scale of consultants who had taken the 2008 contract ranged from €159,000 to €241,000, depending on the type of contract. For those remaining on the 1997 contract, the pay scales range from €148,000 to €219,000.
Lower pay scales were introduced for consultants recruited to the public health service from the beginning of this year.
Dr Reilly said that in addition to basic pay, “consultants are paid overtime for weekend work and are entitled to on-call and call out payments”.
