Some senior management figures in the health service are getting remuneration packages well in excess of €200,000, including top-up payments from private sources.

The extra payments from private sources on top of basic salaries are in breach of Department of Health guidelines for remuneration in the health sector.

Health Minister James Reilly has spoken out against these top-up payments being made, stressing that if hospitals or other health organisations want to continue with these payments they would have to make a case for it with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Department of Health records dating from earlier this year show that the Master of Holles Street Hospital was receiving a total remuneration package of just under €282,000, while the Master of the Rotunda Hospital received €306,000, according to reports in today's Irish Independent and Irish Times.

However, Holles Strteet Master Dr Rhona Mahony has since clarified that her top-up income from private sources was in fact her private practice income to which she was contractually entitied.

The public salary element of hospital managers would have since been reduced under the Haddington Road agreement.

The Central Remedial Clinic in Dublin is reported to be paying its chief executive more than €135,000 in salary and allowances from its own funds on top of his HSE-funded salary of €106,900.

Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Dublin has also confirmed its chief executive is getting a private allowance of €30,000 generated from the profits of the hospital shop.

The reports on the large six-figure sums paid to some health managers have appeared as the HSE is preparing its service plan for 2014, which is expected to provide for cuts and savings of over €1 billion.

Some senior health managers are now getting paid more than Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

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