Pay hike for Health role will ‘cause pressure for more rises’

THE €81,000 pay increase for the position of Department of Health Secretary General will cause pressure to bring in such hikes elsewhere in the civil service, the Dáil has been told.

And Independent Waterford TD Matt Shanahan also questioned if the recruitment process will be fair, due to what he claimed is a “significant advantage” conferred on Robert Watt who is currently serving in the role.

Mr Watt has been appointed to the Department of Health role on an interim basis but is expected to be made permanent after a recruitment process.

Former Department of Public Expenditure and Reform boss Mr Watt remains on his current salary of €211,000 while the recruitment process takes place.

The proposed salary for the permanent holder of the job is to be €292,000.

Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin raised concerns at Cabinet about the substantial pay increase for the role.

Mr Shanahan has written to the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committee to ask them to review the salary increase for the job.

He raised the issue in the Dáil, saying it appeared some Cabinet members were not made aware of the salary increases to be offered.

He also claimed: “Neither was cognisance given to the pressure that this would cause in promoting further pay hikes across the civil and public service at a time, I might add, when so many private businesses and employees are facing potential ruin [due to the Covid-19 crisis].”

Mr Shanahan accused the Government of a “reactionary and rushed” decision to increase the pay for the role, which he said was an “almost 50pc salary hike”.

Mr Shanahan did not name Mr Watt, but he claimed: “It is ironic also… that the preferred candidate for the position has been leading the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for many years and one presumes has supported the policy to oppose increased appointments and pay increases across medical, nursing and allied grades during the Covid crisis.”

He asked: “How can that be the case for a fair interview process when the candidate is holding the position on offer, conferring significant advantage in final selection?”