The government’s decision to conduct a new salary assessment for the CEOs of commercial state enterprises is a response to the escalating competition for securing candidates for these roles, as proposed by the Minister for Public Expenditure. While addressing the matter on Thursday, Paschal Donohoe explained that the government is acknowledging a few vital positions within the commercial and semi-state sector, critical to implementing crucial projects nationwide.
He particularly highlighted the supreme roles within the energy sector companies. Filling these influential positions is now occurring within a highly competitive atmosphere, increasingly more than ever. Mr Donohoe further commented on the shift in the competitive context concerning remuneration for some of these roles.
He conceded that this topic is a delicate matter but affirmed the significance of evidence-based approach and the importance of the process being enforced. Earlier in the week, the cabinet approved the creation of a new entity – the ‘Senior Posts Remuneration Committee’, tasked with evaluating the salaries of high-ranking personnel in the public sector.
Mr Donohoe announced on Tuesday that the first review by this new committee would focus on the salaries of commercial state bodies’ CEOs. Likely, the investigation will encompass remuneration of senior executives in prominent organisations such as RTÉ, ESB, VHI Healthcare and state-owned transport companies. The committee may later explore the salaries of other groups within the public service.
An independent panel recommended to the government last year that a new remuneration body should evaluate the salaries provided to senior civil servants, judges, high-ranking gardaí and military personnel, and hospital consultants.