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Directors Of Services Costing €1m annually in Local Authorities

  • 10-04-2012 02:07PM
    #1
    Freddie59
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭


    Top civil servants in local authorities cost about €1m per council annually, despite emergency pay cuts and calls to slash the number of senior lucrative posts.

    An Irish Examiner investigation into the pay of top officials shows that although pay rates were cut in 2009, the highest earners remain protected.

    With homeowners being forced to pay €100 towards local services, figures reveal many county councils are top-heavy with senior staff, and several people earn in excess of €100,000.

    Directors of services — among the most lucrative roles — start on €90,453 and receive annual increments of about €4,000 until they reach €106,900.

    Most councils have at least three or four directors of services but some have five or more, including Kerry, Galway, Donegal, Wicklow, Kildare, Carlow, Cork, and Dún Laoighre-Rathdown.

    The figures also highlight stark inconsistencies between different authorities, some of which serve similar populations.

    Whereas Carlow has a population of 54,532 and five directors of services, Westmeath with a population of 85,961 has just two.


    Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/councils-pay-1m-annually-to-senior-staff-189896.html#ixzz1rdtY9VM0

    Seriously. Librarians? €106k a year? FFS.:mad:


«13

Comments

  • #2
    Morlar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,273 ✭✭✭Morlar


    Dun Laoghaire Rathdown are extremely generous with other peoples money. Nice to see not everyone is affected by the economy at the moment.


  • #3
    aquaman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 172 ✭✭aquaman


    Directors of service are also a new layer of management created under "better local government" in the early 2000's

    The old structure (in the smaller counties anyway) had all technical staff answering to one county engineer who reported to the county manager.
    and all admin staff answering to one county secretary who also reported to the county manager.

    The county engineer and secretary roles were removed and replaced with, for each section of the council: a director of services who reports to the manager and a SEO and Senior engineer reporting to the director in each section..

    Put simply, 2 senior management roles were quashed and replaced with 3 for each section of the council. Typically the councils are divided into 4 sections (more in some cases as OP mentioned and less in others). So 12 new senior management positions instead of two!

    These director of service positions until recent wage cuts in public service jobs were rewarded with substantial bonuses (10-15k). When pay was cut the bonus was considered part of the wages and therefore the base salary not reduced.


  • #4
    micropig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,366 ✭✭✭micropig


    the sky is blue :P


  • #5
    suicide_circus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,801 ✭✭✭✭suicide_circus


    They're worth every penny. In fact, I think salaries for top civil servants should be doubled, if not tripled. Spending on education, health care and social services should be reduced to pay for these increases.


  • #6
    smash
    Closed Accounts Posts: 34,808 ✭✭✭✭smash


    Oh to be paid and given promotions based on length of service rather than merit.


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  • #7
    StephenHendry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭StephenHendry


    they are specialised people who will no doubt be needed by LA's for a whole range of different things. this position means that they will be well paid which means three figure salaries. thats just the way it is and no doubt if LAs could use these people for a lesser salary they would but in reality they couldnt.

    a lot of what you say OP is back to the argument of top civil servants being paid a lot. they always were anyway whether in good times or bad as the case is at the moment.


  • #8
    SEPT 23 1989
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43,038 ✭✭✭✭SEPT 23 1989


    But.. but ..the household charge is meant for parks and other essential services

    SHOWER OF CORRUPT B@STARDS


  • #9
    K-9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43,305 ✭✭✭✭K-9


    Freddie59 wrote: »

    Seriously. Librarians? €106k a year? FFS.:mad:

    Hardly for administering late fines in fairness!

    I know Donegal has had a fair chunk cut of the wage bill but it's probably mostly temporary staff and retirements.

    Mad Men's Don Draper : What you call love was invented by guys like me, to sell nylons.



  • #10
    mikemac1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    County librarians earn up to €84,000, while Dublin city librarian earns, or will earn, €106,900. Sligo’s chief librarian has a salary of €86,573.

    Sweeeet

    I choose the wrong career :(


  • #11
    micropig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,366 ✭✭✭micropig


    StephenHendry wrote: »
    they are specialised people who will no doubt be needed by LA's for a whole range of different things. this position means that they will be well paid which means three figure salaries. thats just the way it is and no doubt if LAs could use these people for a lesser salary they would but in reality they couldnt.

    a lot of what you say OP is back to the argument of top civil servants being paid a lot. they always were anyway whether in good times or bad as the case is at the moment.

    Maybe not as needed as you think

    "A report in 2010 by the local government efficiency review group, set up by John Gormley, called for the number of staff at director of service level to be reduced "by at least 20%".

    The report also recommended a 15% reduction in the number of staff at senior executive levels, and a 15% reduction in the numbers at senior engineer, executive engineer and assistant engineer levels."

    Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/councils-pay-1m-annually-to-senior-staff-189896.html#ixzz1reOBVoMb



    Jobs for the boys;););)


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  • #12
    Freddie59
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭Freddie59


    StephenHendry wrote: »
    they are specialised people who will no doubt be needed by LA's for a whole range of different things. this position means that they will be well paid which means three figure salaries. thats just the way it is and no doubt if LAs could use these people for a lesser salary they would but in reality they couldnt.

    a lot of what you say OP is back to the argument of top civil servants being paid a lot. they always were anyway whether in good times or bad as the case is at the moment.

    ? A librarian?????:eek:


  • #13
    micropig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,366 ✭✭✭micropig


    Freddie59 wrote: »
    ? A librarian?????:eek:

    Yes, but they have to be able to read:rolleyes:, although in true public sector style, they probably get an allowance from having this skill;)


  • #14
    Freddie59
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭Freddie59


    micropig wrote: »
    Yes, but they have to be able to read:rolleyes:, although in true public sector style, they probably get an allowance from having this skill;)

    Indeed.:rolleyes::mad:


  • #15
    Immaculate Pasta
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,663 ✭✭✭Immaculate Pasta


    Freddy59 in another angry at big businesses/government thread shocker. :eek:

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77981154

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=78038063

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77981509

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77839971

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77981128

    6th thread in the last 2 weeks alone :eek:


  • #16
    Bullseye1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,730 ✭✭✭Bullseye1


    Pointing out waste and over spending in government is a worth while discussion especially in our current economic situation. And very relevant when taking the household tax into account.
    Immaculate Pasta wrote: »
    Freddy59 in another angry at big businesses/government thread shocker. :eek:

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77981154

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=78038063

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77981509

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77839971

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77981128

    6th thread in the last 2 weeks alone :eek:


  • #17
    Freddie59
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭Freddie59


    Immaculate Pasta wrote: »
    Freddy59 in another angry at big businesses/government thread shocker. :eek:

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77981154

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=78038063

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77981509

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77839971

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77981128

    6th thread in the last 2 weeks alone :eek:

    Wonderful post.:rolleyes: What do you suggest? Ignore it and it might go away? The very attitude that has brought us to the abyss.

    I've just had a look at the threads you start yourself. Reality indeed.


  • #18
    micropig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,366 ✭✭✭micropig


    Bullseye1 wrote: »
    Pointing out waste and over spending in government is a worth while discussion especially in our current economic situation. And very relevant when taking the household tax into account.

    Sure, isn't that what got us it to this mess, some on the take and everyone else turning a blind eye?


  • #19
    pconn062
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,373 ✭✭✭pconn062


    Freddie59 wrote: »
    Wonderful post.:rolleyes: What do you suggest? Ignore it and it might go away? The very attitude that has brought us to the abyss.

    Are you serious with this?? You make it sound like the Armageddon.


  • #20
    Freddie59
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭Freddie59


    pconn062 wrote: »
    Are you serious with this?? You make it sound like the Armageddon.

    It is economic Armageddon my friend. Make no mistake about it.


  • #21
    yosemite_sam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 547 ✭✭✭yosemite_sam


    divide by two


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  • #22
    ejmaztec
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,369 ✭✭✭✭ejmaztec


    Freddie59 wrote: »
    ? A librarian?????:eek:

    It's fuckin hard work looking after all those billions and billions of words, if one word disappears from a book it can really screw up the plot.

    ....and then there's the SWAT team that gets sent out when some scumbag is late returning books, those people don't come cheap.


  • #23
    Toby Take a Bow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Toby Take a Bow


    Freddie59 wrote: »
    ? A librarian?????:eek:

    Sure, just get in anyone to do their jobs. Isn't it just shushing and looking cross at school kids? That you're focusing on one of the few valuable positions mentioned in the article says a lot.

    Top civil servants have always been paid too much, there's nothing new in this report (although I'm sure a similar thread will be started when 'new', 'shocking' evidence emerges next week). A simple way to avoid the problems of cutting through deals and agreements and having strikes and the like is to increase tax on top-earners. Top-earners still earn their high wages, but a lot of the money goes back into government coffers.


  • #24
    Immaculate Pasta
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,663 ✭✭✭Immaculate Pasta


    Freddie59 wrote: »
    Wonderful post.:rolleyes: What do you suggest? Ignore it and it might go away? The very attitude that has brought us to the abyss.

    I've just had a look at the threads you start yourself. Reality indeed.

    I've attempted to engage you in debate in a previous thread of yours on the economic situation and you never replied (I'll find the post for it now - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=77849561&postcount=34). Your answer to the problem seems to be starting more and more threads and making lots of :mad: and :rolleyes: faces and putting figures in bold without actually giving a constructive opinion yourself.

    I don't start threads on this, not because I don't know about the situation, but because I don't want to spend my spare time on the internet talking about and getting angry about the economy, I want to have a laugh which is I frequent After Hours. If you want a serious debate post these threads on the Irish Economy forum.


  • #25
    Big Nasty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,066 ✭✭✭✭Big Nasty


    How many local authorities do we have in this country? There's four in Dublin alone with a population of 1.8 million. There's 2.6 million in the greater Manchester area and AFAIK they have only one authority.


  • #26
    juan.kerr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,766 ✭✭✭juan.kerr


    So cut services and keep sky high salaries. They have their priorities right anyway.


  • #27
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    MCMLXXV wrote: »
    How many local authorities do we have in this country? There's four in Dublin alone with a population of 1.8 million. There's 2.6 million in the greater Manchester area and AFAIK they have only one authority.

    There are ten councils in the greater manchester area which is what your population count refers to.

    http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/100004/the_council_and_democracy/66/councils_in_greater_manchester/1


  • #28
    Freddie59
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭Freddie59


    juan.kerr wrote: »
    So cut services and keep sky high salaries. They have their priorities right anyway.

    Thats the long and the short of it really. This is the first time - ever - that Public sector employees will be impacted by the real economic world. And they don't like it. Looking for "guarantees" of wage continuity and no compulsory redundancies. FFS it is truly surreal.


  • #29
    Freddie59
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭Freddie59


    RobbieTheRobber wrote: »
    There are ten councils in the greater manchester area which is what your population count refers to.

    http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/100004/the_council_and_democracy/66/councils_in_greater_manchester/1

    Equally somewhere the size of London has only one Fire chief.....while we have one in every County.:rolleyes:


  • #30
    Freddie59
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭Freddie59


    Toby Take a Bow wrote: »
    Sure, just get in anyone to do their jobs. Isn't it just shushing and looking cross at school kids? That you're focusing on one of the few valuable positions mentioned in the article says a lot.

    Top civil servants have always been paid too much, there's nothing new in this report (although I'm sure a similar thread will be started when 'new', 'shocking' evidence emerges next week). A simple way to avoid the problems of cutting through deals and agreements and having strikes and the like is to increase tax on top-earners. Top-earners still earn their high wages, but a lot of the money goes back into government coffers.

    Ah come on Toby. FFS - €106k a year. There's no defending it - or any of the other salaries - really. And italicising words doesn't detract that they ARE truly shocking - and a scandal.


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  • #31
    Toby Take a Bow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭Toby Take a Bow


    Freddie59 wrote: »
    Ah come on Toby. FFS - €106k a year. There's no defending it - or any of the other salaries - really. And italicising words doesn't detract that they ARE truly shocking - and a scandal.

    I find it bemusing that someone who constantly places words in bold and uses smiley faces beyond any normal 'need' to use smiley faces criticises my use of italics. Especially when I didn't use italics. Here's a confused face for you: :confused:

    You've also missed the entire point of my post in order to harp on about your original point. I actually argued against their pay being so high, and offered a way in which to cut that pay.

    You really do seem to miss the entire point of peoples' posts in order to give the impression of responding while simply repeating what you say in the numerous threads you start, which are all about the same thing.


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