How to cut $6 billion off the Irish deficit by reducing public sector wages

12 steps to reduce the Irish public deficit

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MOLLY MULDOON,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

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The Sunday Tribune newspaper has created a novel way to cut Ireland's booming deficit by saving $6 billion (€4.3billion) by cutting back on government waste and inefficiency. A dramatic cut in wages of the judiciary, senior pubic servants and lowering the number of TDs would result in dramatic savings alone.

Read on to discover the potential savings.

1. Cut number of TDs to 100 and cap pay at $111,000 (€80,000)

Last year the cost of paying 166 TDs including secretarial assistance, travel expenses and additional allowances cost  $62.4m (€44.7m). Cutting 66 TDs would instantly save $24.8m (€17.8m).

The average basic salary for an Irish TD was $150, 749 (€107,831) in 2009. Capping the remaining 100 TDs salaries at  $112,000  (€80,000) would generate $3.9m (€2.8m) alone.

Total savings $20.6m (€20.6m)

2. Abolish the Seanad

The Irish government is split into two houses, the Seanad and the Dail. The Seanad is the upper house of the parliament and it's main function is in relation to legislation in Ireland. However all decisions made by the house can be overruled by the Dail. Which many argue negates it's necessity.

In 2009 salaries including allowances and travel expenses amounted to $13.1 (€9.4m).

Total savings $13.1 (€9.4m).

3. Cut judges salaries by $140,000 (€100,000)

In Ireland there are 145 Supreme, High, Circuit and District Court judges whose salaries totaled $36.6 m (€27.6m) in 2009. Annual pay ranges from $201,000 (€143,800) for a District Court judge to $426,536 (€304,974) for the Chief Justice. In comparison Chief Justice John Roberts of the United States Supreme Court is payed $217,400 annually.

Reducing all judges' pay by $139,860 (€100,000) could save $18.3 (€13.1m).

Totals savings $18.3 (€13.1m).

4. Cut salaries of semi-state bosses to $210,000 (€150,000)

Ireland is home to 28 commercial semi-state bodies including the 10 which operate our ports. Each body is headed by a chief executive whose salary is determined by the state. Brian Lenihan, Ireland's Finance Minister is currently reviewing the salaries of state bosses.

The most well paid semi-state boss is the Electricity Supply Board's Padraig McManus who earned a package of over $1million (€750,000) last year for completing his seven-year contract as CEO. By slicing the overall wage packets of semi-state bosses the state could save $4m (€2.9m).

Total savings $4m (€2.9m)

5. Abolish private secretaries, drivers, advisers and helpers attached to ministerial and constituency offices of Ministers and junior ministers

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