THE TOP 500 public sector pensions cost the country around €50 million a year, new figures show.

The figures were released to Sinn Féin finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty.

He asked Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe for the numbers of people in receipt of different amounts in their pension.

The response showed that 500 former civil servants have pensions above €100,000, costing the state €50 million this year.

Doherty says that the figure is “obscene”.

“This spend on such a small number of people could provide medical cards for all seriously ill children twice over or make a big impact on waiting list times or in tackling the homelessness crisis.

“What impact would that €50m have if spent on recruiting Guards or nurses? These are political choices ultimately.

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“It is especially obscene as the economy struggles with low pay and the scars of austerity that the top few public sector pensioners are reaping such big payments; presumably those 500 include many former politicians whose actions cost the Irish people so much.”

Doherty says that many people could name a good chunk of the 500 people.

In fact, given the size of the country, an informed source could almost name the individuals costing such a huge sum of money each year.

“If nothing else the figure gives a lie to the idea that we all suffered equally or that even the very top need a break.

“They do not; they are still protected and getting huge pensions each year.”