Ministerial pay cut and Taoiseach salary
Mary Lou McDonald challenged the Government’s handling of ministerial pay, saying the public was misled and asking whether the Taoiseach’s salary would still be higher than his predecessor’s. The Taoiseach said the changes cost the taxpayer nothing extra and that he would gift back about €25,000.
I wish to record our disappointment at the fact that Government parties have voted to maintain a discriminatory system which penalises people on the Covid payment. That is a disgraceful action, particularly given the public backlash over the €16,000 pay increase for three super junior Ministers. I understand the Taoiseach has been publicly shamed into stepping back from that position and the three super junior Ministers will now receive a pay increase of €10,000 each. Can the Taoiseach confirm that?
Can I also ask about the 10% pay cut that has been announced for Government?
Comment on this
Is it true that the Taoiseach's salary, notwithstanding this cut, will be €1,500 higher than that of his predecessor, Deputy Varadkar?
Comment on this
On the Ministers of State at the Cabinet table, the legislative changes will result in no additional cost to the taxpayer. The three Ministers have issued a statement to that effect. They will be taking a 10% cut in addition to not availing of the additional amount that was voted through in the legislation last week. In respect of my own situation, I will be gifting back to the State close to €25,000 over the 12 months. That includes a 2% pay increase for public servants in the autumn, which I will not accept and I will gift that back. It has been the policy of outgoing Ministers to gift back any additional increases that would have accrued to Ministers in the ordinary course of events, in accordance with the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, provisions. That is the position.