Justine McCarthy – Sunday Times 27th March 2011
The annual salary, bonus and expenses totalling more the €400,000 a year reportedly being paid to Angela Kerins, the chief executive of the Rehab Group, have been described as “exorbitant” by a leading disability campaigner.
“It’s something that has to be questioned, especially in light of the economic situation, when people with disability have had cuts in their €186.00 allowance,” said Frieda Finlay, chairwoman of Inclusion Ireland, which represents the interests of those with intellectual disabilities.
The Phoenix reported last week that Kerins, who also chairs the National Disabilities Authority (NDA), a state disability agency; received a salary “well over” €300.000 plus a bonus of €70.000 from Rehab. It calculated that, with pension entitlements, car benefits and expenses, Kerins annual salary was worth up to €500,000.
Last week, Michael Parker, a spokesman for Kerins, said he was not free to divulge details of her remuneration because Rehab was a private, not-for-profit organisation.
Rehab provides training and employment for people with disabilities in Ireland, Britain, the Netherlands and Poland. Two years ago, the Health Service Executive provided €54m of its €202m income.
“I think all agencies should have their salaries opened up for scrutiny,” said Finlay. “I’m also concerned that there’s a potential conflict of interest as [Kerins] is head of the NDA.”
When asked about Complete Eco Solutions (CES), which supplies Rehab with coffin components and lists Kerin’s husband, Sean Kerins and her brother, Joseph Mc Carthy as directors, Parker said: “Complete Eco Solutions has nothing to do with Rehab other than to help them with the supply of wood from China.
“Her [Angela’s] brother has been based in China for about 20 years. They went to him for help with sourcing materials. Her husband is no longer a director.”
CES supplies wooden panels for coffins which are assembled by Rehab employees in Kilkenny. Frank Flannery, Rehab’s former chief executive and Fine Gael’s deputy director of elections, is a director.
Rehab hosts the People of the Year awards ceremony at Citywest hotel in Dublin where Kerins stays in the presidential suite each year.
“The hotel gives five or six rooms on a complimentary basis, including the presidential suite. It is used by other people as well,” said Parker.
Kerins is co-chair with Philip Lynch, chief executive of One51, of the Ireland First group of 17 businesses and political figures who have written A Blueprint for Change.
They plan to discuss the policy document for Ireland’s economic recovery with the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste.
