Charity’s sick-leave CEO finally takes pay cut

THE CEO of St John of God, who has been on sick leave for 10 months, has had his pay reduced, the Irish Mail on Sunday understands.

It is believed John Pepper was receiving his full salary of €256,665. Typically in public sector jobs full salary is paid for six months or 183 days of sick leave, then cut.

As well as his high salary, which broke public sector limits, the MoS revealed last week that he received more than €2m in secret top-ups from the Order. When queried on the change to his sick leave conditions this week, a spokesman said: ‘Mr Pepper is on leave on medical advice. There is no further comment.’

The MoS revealed last year that 14 managers shared €1.6m in 2013.

Mr Pepper, who went on sick leave after our revelations, received just over €649,000. Finance director Annamarie McGill, regional director Clare Dempsey and procurement director Jane McEvoy were also among those who shared in the payout.

The MoS reported last week that HSE auditors, acting on foot of the MoS revelations, have now found that, in addition to this payment, Mr Pepper was also one of four favoured executives who benefited from a special private pension fund established in 1989. receiving a once-off benefit of €1,480,000 when the fund was wound up in 2013.