Enterprise Ireland Seeks Higher Pay for CEO
Enterprise Ireland CEO Appointment Faced Salary Scrutiny Before Melia’s Selection
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The appointment of Jenny Melia as CEO of Enterprise ireland followed a period of internal debate and adjustments regarding the salary for the role, according to documents obtained and reviewed. Initially, a request for a higher salary was made, but ultimately the position was advertised and filled at a lower rate, with subsequent pay restoration bringing the final remuneration to around €235,000.
Initial Salary Request and Subsequent Reduction
enterprise Ireland initially sought approval for a salary of over €229,949 per year for the CEO position. However,this enhanced request was later withdrawn. Later that month, Enterprise Ireland dropped the enhanced request and asked to proceed with the appointment at the original rate of €229,949-per-year. This shift came with a firm stipulation: candidates would be appointed at the minimum of the salary scale,with no room for negotiation. A copy of the conditions of service explicitly stated: “Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum of the scale and will not be subject to negotiation.”
The Department of Public Expenditure gave the green light to advertise the job at the original, lower salary level in early February. This paved the way for the appointment of Jenny Melia,a long-serving senior executive within Enterprise Ireland,in May.
Pay Restoration and Final Remuneration
Interestingly, by the time Melia’s appointment was publicly announced, the pay level for the post had already increased. This was due to broader pay restoration initiatives within the public sector, bringing the salary to approximately €235,000.
The Department of Enterprise has clarified that the salary for the Enterprise Ireland CEO is fixed on a single point pay scale. A spokesperson explained, ”At the time of the first draft business case this was set at €229,949. However, due to a pay adjustment in March 2025 the set remuneration was increased to €234,548.”
Government Policy on Public Sector Appointments
The Department of Enterprise also emphasized that government policy dictates all appointments stemming from open competitions are made at the minimum point of the relevant salary scale. This underlines the commitment to fairness and transparency in public sector recruitment. This policy, they stated, ensures “It is government policy that all appointments from open competitions are at the minimum point of the relevant [scale].”