Consultants 'singled out for harsher wage cuts'
Friday December 11 2009
HOSPITAL consultants who have seen their pay cut by 30pc in a year claim they have been "singled out.
Consultants who earn more than €200,000 will see their pay cut by 15pc. Those under that level will be cut 12pc.
The highest earners are those signed up to treat public patients full time, while those who get the lower cut are also free to treat private patients.
"It is a matter of deep regret that binding contracts with consultants have been broken by the State," Irish Hospital Consultants Association deputy secretary general Donal Duffy said.
Two consultants are taking a case to the Labour Relations Commission to get unpaid pay rises due for the period from June to December 2008. The doctors gave up their private practice for a contract that promised a salary of €240,000 but the cuts have depleted this.
Mary Harney said she would not pay the money outstanding.
Irish Independent
