In today's Irish Times, Education Editor Seán Flynn along with Peter McGuire exposes the extraordinary high levels of pay in the upper echelons of Irish educational administration. Below is an extract from Seán's article (with kind permission from the author) outlining the top 10 Irish earners in education. For the full article click here.
At a time of unprecedented budget cuts and the possible return of third-level fees, SEAN FLYNN and PETER MCGUIRE reveal the salaries of the highest earners in Irish education
OVER 75 per cent of the €8.59 billion education budget is absorbed by pay and pensions. This means that all other education services must be funded from the €2.14 billion non-pay element of the budget. Overall, Ireland has one of the lowest levels of education spending in the OECD. It is ranked close to the bottom of international league tables when it comes to spending in relation to GDP.
The consequences of this under-investment are evident throughout the sector. It can be seen in dilapidated classrooms, lack of adequate support for information technology, meagre investment in early childhood education, lack of basic school facilities, and so on.
But a striking feature of the Irish education service is the relatively high rates of pay for academics and bureaucrats – especially at senior levels.
Today’s survey of the high earners in education comes amid increasing calls for a €100,000 cap on public service salaries. Many of those featured on this page point out they have already taken pay cuts and absorbed the public service pension levy. The universities say they need to pay the best to attract the best. But the top earners also include senior figures from the huge number of education quangos.
In all, more than 60 staff in the education sector earn more than €150,000, according to The Irish Times survey. A further 476 staff earn more than €110,000. In all, 497 people are on the professorial salary scale, €113,573–€145,952.
A further €62 million is spent on pensions to 22,700 education staff in primary, second-level and in ITs.
Inevitably, there are other top earners within the system whose names do not feature on today’s list – some third-level colleges and other educational bodies were more cooperative than others when it came to disclosing salary details.
The figures in this survey were compiled by Peter McGuire
1. PROF DES FITZGERALD - Vice-president for research, UCD - €263,602
Fitzgerald may be Ireland’s highest-paid academic but he has actually seen his salary fall from €409,000 in the past year, as UCD came under pressure to justify his exceptional pay packet. Headhunted from the College of Surgeons, UCD says research income has more than tripled under Fitzgerald’s watch. Critics say his salary level is inappropriate in a university facing severe budgetary cuts and one with debts of more than €12 million.
2. PROF FRANK GANNON - Director general, Science Foundation Ireland - €259,697
Gannon leaves SFI at the end of the year after being headhunted by the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Brisbane. He made a major impact on national science policy, including at Cabinet level. Described as a key asset by Minister for Enterprise Batt O’Keeffe, his departure is regarded as a huge loss. A spokesperson said that Gannon’s salary level is “required in order to secure the services of a uniquely qualified individual with the necessary international scientific reputation and managerial experience, to deliver on the ambitious agenda the Government has entrusted to SFI.”
3. DR MICHAEL MURPHY - President, UCC - €232,151
The highest-paid university president in Ireland. Last year, former education minister Batt O’Keeffe asked the seven university presidents to take a pay cut but they have not responded to this request. UCC has debts of more than €10 million. Under Murphys tenure, UCC has routinely outperformed both UCD and Trinity College in the battle to secure research funding. A spokesman for the college said that the presidents salary is HEA-approved and reflects his previous clinical background. The president also retains a special adviser, Eamonn Sweeney, who earns €118,000 per year.
4. PROFESSOR TOM BEGLEY - Dean, School of Business, UCD - €231,575
Begley’s role as dean of the UCD School of Business means he oversees the undergraduate Quinn School and the graduate Michael Smurfit School. The Smurfit MBA held its top 30 spot in the Financial Times European chart this year. The school also came in 98th in the global rankings. With more than 3,000 students and 30,000 alumni, the UCD Business School has a long reach into Irish corporate life.
5. PROFESSOR NICK QUIRKE - Principal, College of Engineering, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, UCD - €227,659
Despite losing a special allowance last year, Quirke remains as one of the highest-paid academics in Ireland. His salary was sanctioned by the HEA under a special framework agreement, designed to help colleges attract top academics from Ireland and abroad. Quirke fits the profile of the high-level international academic that Irish universities have been so eager to entice: he has published more than 110 papers in international journals and is editor-in-chief of the international journal, Molecular Simulation and chairman of the Journal of Experimental Nanoscience.
6. BRIGID McMANUS - Secretary General, Department of Education and Skills - €215,590
Only the fourth woman to reach the position of Secretary General and the first in the Department of Education and Science. Appointed in 2005. Regularly puts in 12 hour days (or longer) in Marlborough Street.
7. DR JAMES BROWNE (Joint 7th) - President, NUIG - €212,755
Became president four years ago after losing out in controversial circumstances more than a decade ago. Regarded as a tough, no-nonsense character who does not do small talk. That said, much respected across the sector and praised for NUIG’s strong links with local industry.
7. DR HUGH BRADY (Joint 7th) - President, UCD - €212,755
One of the most prominent and controversial figures in Irish education, Brady has brought about sweeping changes at Irelands largest university. Under fire at recent Dáil Public Accounts Committee and asked to justify €1.6 million in illegal, unauthorised bonuses to senior staff. Credited with moving UCD swiftly up the world ranking. After languishing in 221st place, it is now in the worlds top 100 in the Times Higher ranking.
9 MARY COUGHLAN - Minister for Education - €208,526
Dubbed “Calamity Coughlan’’ during a controversial term in Enterprise and Employment. Has adopted a low profile and more cautious approach in Education. As Tánaiste, under pressure to deliver substantial education cuts in forthcoming budget.
10. EAMON DREA - Vice-president for staff, UCD - €202,913
A UCD graduate, he took an arts degree programme in the 1970s and went on to specialise in English and American literature. He then studied law at King’s Inns and was called to the bar in 1990. A civil servant for a decade, Drea worked at senior levels in the Department of the Environment and in the Department of Finance. Under Drea, an increasing number of lecturers at UCD are employed on short-term or hourly contracts.
For the complete list click here. (I've checked, I'm not on it)
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