Ervia boss given €225,000 ‘revised’ pay package – with VHI
IRISH WATER’S parent company Ervia looked for a €250,000 salary for its incoming chief executive – despite being told the pay for the position had to be €30,000 less.
The appointment of former Bord na Móna executive Mike Quinn was eventually agreed with a pay package of €225,000, a hike of €5,000 on what had originally been agreed on by the Government.
Health insurance for the candidate’s family was included as part of the deal, along with a car and pension entitlements.
In January 2017, a €220,000 pay package was agreed by Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, with the use of a car also included with the role.
Health insurance would be available through a group scheme, but the candidate would have to pay for it. In May, however, Mr Donohoe was told by civil servants that following the recruitment process ‘a change to these terms’ was needed. A submission to Mr Donohoe said: ‘The revised package includes a salary of €225,000 and health insurance for the CEO, his spouse and his dependent children... at the company’s expense.’ It also said the contract should be flexible regarding the nature of the role if unforeseen changes, including upheaval over Irish Water, resulted in major restructuring of the group. A note on the submission from Mr Donohoe said simply: ‘I agree.’ Internal records from the Department of Communications explain that 187 candidates had been identified for the job originally. However, many had withdrawn ‘due to the complex nature of the job’ and what was described as a ‘significant gap in salary expectations’.