SIPTU says the HSE must comment on whethar controversial top-ups to the salaries of some senior hospital executives were declared during a recent review of increments and bonuses.
The union has criticised the payments which, in some cases, amount to more than €40,000. The scandal developed after it emerged that the Master of the National Maternity Hospital is paid €236,000 a year - plus an extra bonus of €45,000 from private funds, well over the public sector pay cap.
The Taoiseach has spoken out against the payments - while the Minister for Health said those who were paid more than the public sector pay cap will be asked to hand back the money. James Reilly told the Dáil that hospital administrators were required to inform him of any top-ups by last night.
Paul Bell of the health division in SIPTU says the payments are unjust, particularly when frontline workers are being asked to take a cut in wages:
