Senior staff in the Health Service Executive were informed by letter yesterday that no bonuses will be paid this year.
They were told a decision had been made by the HSE board last week to suspend consideration of performance related pay awards in respect of 2008, which would normally be paid this year, following a request from the Department of Health.
“The decision is necessary in view of the current economic and budgetary difficulties and pending further guidelines from central Government,” the letter said.
About €1.4 million was paid in bonuses to senior managers in the HSE last year.