Latest news with #EamonRyan
Irish Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
More than 150 staff at airport operator Daa earned over €150,000 last year
A total of 152 staff at the State-owned airport operator Daa earned above €150,000 each last year, figures show. Official figures also reveal the chief executive at the group, which runs Dublin and Cork airports and other subsidiaries, is not the organisation's highest-paid staff member in 2024. Last year one unnamed person had total remuneration of between €475,000 and €500,000. The company's chief executive Kenny Jacobs received a total package of €374,830. In a statement, Daa said it was a commercial business that received no public funding. It said it had to compete internationally for key personnel. READ MORE Eamon Ryan , then minister for transport, set out remuneration levels for the top earners at Daa in an appendix to a submission sent last summer to a government-appointed pay review for chief executives of commercial state companies. Mr Ryan's submission, which has been released by the Department of Transport , were based on figures for 2023. Those figures showed three staff were paid more than the chief executive, who that year received total remuneration of €347,457. The three were paid between €350,000 and €375,000. The document showed 137 personnel received total remuneration of more than €150,000 each in 2023. Mr Ryan's submission to the senior posts remuneration committee said that 3,864 personnel at Daa group earned less than €50,000, although this included part-time staff. He said remuneration for CEOs varied across international competitors in the aviation sector. Mr Ryan noted the head of Fraport, which runs Frankfurt Airport and has contracts at 30 others worldwide, had a total package of €1.65 million while the head of Aena, the state company that manages 46 airports in Spain, was paid €186,575 in 2023. Daa's annual report for 2024 showed 152 people received €150,000 or more last year. In addition, 88 employees were paid between €125,000 and €150,000, while 187 earned between €100,000 and €125,000. The company said: 'The State does not fund the remuneration of Daa staff, as Daa operates as a commercial business and receives no public funding. 'Aviation is a global industry and Daa competes for talent against other international airports and aviation businesses, as well as international retailers. 'Daa is a multinational commercial enterprise with operations in 14 countries across four continents, with several CEOs and management teams.' The annual report said Mr Jacobs received total remuneration of €374,830 last year – up from €347,457 the previous year. It said this figure included basic salary of €284,235 and pension contributions and other taxable benefits of €90,595 . It said Mr Jacobs did not receive a director's fee. Last month the Cabinet accepted many of the recommendations of the senior post remuneration committee. Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said the upper limit on any proposed package would be the market rate . However, there would be no backdating of any increases to May 1st of last year, another committee recommendation, and no reintroduction of performance-related bonuses worth up to 25 per cent of salaries, which was also proposed.
Irish Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Eamon Ryan backed higher CEO pay at some State firms
Former Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan urged that Government departments and agencies should have greater freedom to offer more competitive packages including performance bonuses and increments when seeking CEOs for commercial State bodies. Martin Wall reports. Martin also reports that a legal challenge brought by Elon Musk's social network platform against the online safety code introduced by the country's media regulator is scheduled to commence on Tuesday. Twitter International Unlimited Company, which operates X, alleges in High Court proceedings that Coimisiún na Meán engaged in 'regulatory overreach' in its approach to restrictions on certain video content. Cork-based packaging group Zeus has completed bolt-on acquisitions in England and Spain that will add €20 million to its annual revenues, which will be in excess of €500 million this year. Ciaran Hancock has the details. Pizza maker Crust & Crumb is spending €12.5 million on boosting production as it extends a deal with supermarket chain Tesco. As Barry O'Halloran writes, the Ballyconnell, Co Cavan-based company will hire 120 more workers and double the size of its production facility to 7,430sq m after agreeing to supply Tesco with new premium pizza varieties. READ MORE Job numbers in occupations exposed to artificial intelligence (AI) in Ireland have grown 94 per cent since 2019, and the technology is making workers better able to command higher wage premiums, according to a new report from PwC. Colin Gleeson has read the report. Ireland's largest business lobby group, Ibec has called on the Government to increase the amount of public investment into research and development as Ireland drops below the European average for public spend per capita. Hugh Dooley reports. London-based pan-Asian restaurant chain, Tootoomoo is planning an expansion into the Irish retail lunch market following success with J Sainsbury in the UK. Hugh reports. While we may not be too focused on what's happening in Hungary, Hugh Linehan outlines why we should worry about the government there and its plans to control media in the country. In Your Money, there will be plenty of people taking their first job this summer, but what should you expect ?How much should you be paid? Will you be taxed? Fiona Reddan answers these and other questions. Dominic Coyle meanwhile answers a reader question on whether one needs to go to probate to deal with a dead relative's small holding of shares. If you'd like to read more about the issues that affect your finances try signing up to On the Money , the weekly newsletter from our personal finance team, which will be issued every Friday to Irish Times subscribers.
Irish Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Eamon Ryan backed higher pay and bonuses to attract best CEOs to commercial State bodies
Former Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan wanted Government departments and agencies to have greater freedom to offer more competitive packages, including performance bonuses and increments, when seeking CEOs for commercial State bodies. He also supported more flexibility on the duration of contracts with an option to extend the time in the role. In a letter to a Government-appointed pay-review group last summer, Mr Ryan suggested a two-tier system for determining chief executives' pay. He proposed that there could be one arrangement for agencies that operated in a highly competitive setting and a different approach for those who provided 'more in way of a public service'. 'Given the sector-specific context and diversity in play, a 'one-size-fits-all approach is not working in attracting talent, particularly when international consideration and comparators are taken into account,' he wrote. READ MORE Mr Ryan said 12 commercial agencies came under his remit as Minister for Transport . 'These agencies have, in the past, had difficulties attracting and retaining CEOs,' he said. The Senior Posts Remuneration Committee had been asked by Government to examine CEO pay in commercial State companies. Its chairperson, Maeve Carton, had asked ministers for submissions. Mr Ryan said fixed-term contracts limited the pool of potential candidates as those appointed had to leave after seven years. 'The overall packages would be considered low in comparison to private sector comparable positions and with the lack of job security at the end of the term, limits the position to quite a small candidate pool,' he stated. 'The fixed single-term contract is constrained by the Protection of Employees (Fixed -Term Work) Act 2003 and I recognise that the committee is not in a position to resolve this issue. However, consideration to amend the Act in relation to CEOs would be a very beneficial outcome moving forward.' He said the Department of Public Expenditure did not allow for increments, cost-of-living rises or public service pay awards. Mr Ryan also said there was no mechanism open to Government departments to work through any disputes, nor were there any levers available 'should it be decided it is in the best interest of all for the CEO to exit the contract early'. He added that the objectives and the level of responsibility associated with the role could change during the term of a CEO due to Government policy evolving. He wrote: 'I would like to see a situation where the job could be re-evaluated should substantial changes to the original specification occur during the term of the contract.' Mr Ryan also said that to compete with private industry, a performance-related award (PRA) element would be welcome. He stated that this could allow flexibility over the course of the term of the CEO in relation to targets and performance. [ 'Like living near a helicopter': Residents fed up with takeaway delivery drones buzzing over their homes Opens in new window ] [ EU warns it could accelerate retaliatory tariffs over US duties Opens in new window ] He wrote that the PRA would 'be awarded on the basis of clear guidelines outlining the expected outputs including targets and objectives with the explicit consent of the line department through the remuneration committee process.' Mr Ryan's letter also stated: 'My department has concerns over the current oversight and governance structures which are fixed and slow to move. An example of this is, for instance, no pay rate reviews since 2011. I would like to see a mechanism where there is, of course, central Government oversight but in line with market conditions and changes in the economic environment.' Last month the Government signalled it would update rules to allow a 'market rate' to be paid to chief executives in commercial State companies but ruled out performance-related bonuses.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
ESB board had ‘significant concern' that €318,000 salary was not sufficient for chief executive post
The board of the ESB had 'significant concern' that the salary for company's chief executive was insufficient for retaining an appropriately-skilled person for the role, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications told a Government pay review group. In an appendix to a submission sent by the then Minister Eamon Ryan last summer, officials said at that point the post of ESB chief executive had a salary of €318,000. The department said it was 'considered imperative that the company is led by a suitably qualified, experienced and dynamic leader and the post should be competitively remunerated accordingly to attract same'. The department in its appendix to Mr Ryan's letter to the Senior Posts Remuneration Committee said 'due to the size and scope of ESB's remit, the level of remuneration has been previously cited as an area of significant concern for the board of the ESB in retaining an appropriately-skilled CEO'. READ MORE 'The chair of ESB has also noted the current salary as insufficient to attract the calibre of candidate sought for the role in comparison to alternative employment options available to them.' The department said the ESB was 'one of the country's most valuable assets' as the largest semi-State company. 'Therefore it is critically important for the business to attract, retain and motivate the right calibre of people across all levels of the organisation to deliver on their strategic goals and to meet shareholders' expectations in terms of decarbonisation, energy security, critical infrastructure provision and economic growth.' It said the ESB chief executive at that point had a salary of €318,000. It said the code of practice for governance of remuneration in State bodies urged that pay at the top level should be set in a manner that allowed 'sufficient headroom between the CEO and senior management'. The department told the review group that 'this must be considered in the context of the ESB'. [ Gas Networks Ireland, Uisce Éireann, LDA told Minister chief executive pay limits posed 'serious risks' to organisations Opens in new window ] It said as of December 2023, the ESB had a regulated asset base of about €13.2 billion, comprising ESB Networks €10.6 billion, NIE Networks €2.6 billion, a 27 per cent share of generation in the all-island market and more than two million customer accounts throughout the island of Ireland and in Great Britain. It said the ESB had provided more than €1.5 billion in dividends to the State over the previous decade. Last month following the report of the remuneration committee, the Government signalled it would update rules to allow a 'market rate' to be paid to chief executives in commercial State companies. Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said the Government would implement most recommendations made by the committee. He said the Government accepted the need to update a system for top-level pay determination in commercial State organisations that had been in place for more than a decade and would move to generally implement the recommendations. He said the upper limit on any proposed package would be the market rate rather than 120 per cent of it. However, there would be no backdating of any increases to May 1st of last year, another committee recommendation, and no reintroduction of performance-related bonuses worth up to 25 per cent of salaries, which was also proposed.
ABC News
26-05-2025
- ABC News
Female inmates 'disadvantaged' by overcrowding at Greenough Regional Prison
Women and Indigenous men are facing further disadvantage due to "systemic overcrowding" in Western Australia's prisons, the state watchdog says. Inspector of Custodial Services Eamon Ryan's report into Greenough Regional Prison, 400 kilometres north of Perth, revealed female inmates have been moved from "ideal" facilities into smaller units to make space for men. The prison houses both men and women and was put in the spotlight in 2018 after a riot and prison break, which saw 10 inmates escape and spend 10 days on the run. During the incident, male prisoners also broke into the women's wing armed with makeshift petrol bombs and power tools. Independent inspector Jan Shuard said at the time, understaffing, regular lockdowns and cancellation of scheduled work, education and recreation activities had created tension in the prison in the lead-up to the event. The government's response was to construct a dedicated, $12.3 million facility for female inmates, which boasted a high-tech fence to separate the unit from the men's. But less than two years later, the women were moved to facilities in Perth to make more space for men. The latest custodial report showed that women were moved back to Greenough prison six months ago, but not in the dedicated section. Mr Ryan said instead, the women were put in a "small, crowded and lacks fit for purpose infrastructure" section of the prison. Mr Ryan said removing women from the "ideal" purpose-designed facility to a smaller unit left them "disadvantaged". The state government did not answer questions about why women were not in the dedicated female unit. Organiser of the National Network of Incarcerated and formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, Tabitha Lean, said placing men in the dedicated women's unit in Greenough showed the lack of priority for female inmates. "It's a total step backward in terms of dignity and safety and access to all their support," she said. Ms Lean said it reflected a deeper, structural issue across Australia where women were treated like they were "expendable". "There is a clear and consistent pattern of gender disposability," she said. "It's women who are displaced when budgets are tight. It's women's programs that are cut." As a result of the overcrowding at all the prisons in WA, Mr Ryan said Greenough's issues were exacerbated by the transfer of inmates from prisons in the Kimberley and Pilbara. He said about 20 per cent of men at the Geraldton jail were from WA's northern prisons and were largely represented by First Nations people. Mr Ryan said that while the prison staff were proactive in trying to accommodate cultural practices, the forced disconnect from country created significant challenges. "They say, 'Look, what I need is to be at home. 'I need family, I need to be on country.'" Roebourne Prison is in the state's Pilbara region and is another facility that continues to be under scrutiny for poor conditions, overcrowding and over-representation of First Nations people. Pilbara Indigenous group Ngarluma-Yinjibarndi Foundation (NYFL) chief executive Sean-Paul Stephens echoed Mr Ryan's concerns about the disconnect from family and country when an inmate was moved. "We're consistently seeing young men in particular getting caught up in the justice system being dislocated from family, being unable to participate in cultural practice like law ceremony," he said. Mr Stephens said this detracted from the main rehabilitative role of incarceration. He said structural reform was urgently needed, and early intervention should be a priority. "Rather than investing in bigger prisons, rather than investing in locking more people up, [the government should invest] in the social and cultural programs that support the social wellbeing of the community," he said. WA Prison Officers Union secretary Andy Smith said the Greenough inspection was a case study that showed the prison system was failing. He said overcrowding saw jails around the state put mattresses on cells floor to accommodate more inmates, and the "extreme" work conditions saw about 16 prison officers leave the industry each month. "Across the state, we're just over 800 officers short at the moment," Mr Smith said. He said chronically understaffed facilities could not run essential rehabilitation work and education programs, which could contribute to rates of reoffending. A state government spokesperson said 325 prison officers were trained in 2024, and the Department of Justice planned to recruit 1,200 prison officers over the next three years. They said increasing the capacity of regional WA prisons was also being considered. Shadow Minister for Corrective Services Adam Hort said the current system did not facilitate rehabilitation. "When you've got an overcrowded prison, often those rehabilitation programs are stifled or cancelled," he said. "This is not corrective services. It's just a holding pen where we're making prisoners worse than when they first came in."
