HSE staff face a grilling from the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee following the publication of their latest Annual Report. 

The publication revealed that last year there were eight staff members who earned between €500,000 and €980,000.

The committee has asked the HSE to make staff available for questioning on October 5th and Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon said the high salaries must be accounted for.

“It is deeply troubling to see a significant increase in the number of HSE executives earning over half a million euros compared to the previous year,” he said.

“This needs examination, we need to understand the surge in the numbers and also ensure it aligns with fair remuneration practices in light of recent discussions with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.”

A sign for HSE services in Dundalk, Co Louth in September 2014. Picture by: Stephen Barnes/Medical / Alamy Stock Photo

Deputy Dillon said the disparity between the richest HSE employees strands in stark contrast to those at the bottom.

“We cannot ignore the fact that some employees are earning close to one million euros, while others are struggling with much lower incomes,” he said.

“It is really important as a Committee to ensure that this process is transparent, accountable and that the remuneration of high earners is in line with the organisation’s values.”

The Annual Review noted “an internal audit review of remuneration to the highest earners identified some potential internal control gaps around payments made to some hospital consultants under local arrangements. The Executive is implementing an action plan to address these issues.”

The highest earners were not named in the report.

Main image: Leinster House.