The numbers of staff earning over €100,000 at the Central Bank last year increased by 22%, or 46, to 256.

In response to a Freedom of Information request, the Central Bank has confirmed that, last year, one staff member earned between €250,000 and €300,000 with three earning between €200,000 and €250,000.

The figures show that 26 earned between €150,000 and €200,000, compared to 16 in that earning bracket in 2018.

The Central Bank's FoI unit show that 226 last year earned between €100,000 and €150,000, compared to 190 in that earning bracket in 2018.

Last year, the numbers employed by the Central Bank increased from 1,927 to 1,950. 

The salary of the Central Bank governor Gabriel Makhlouf is €286,790. Mr Makhlouf was appointed last year and his pay is in line with the salary of his predecessor, Philip Lane.

Separate FoI figures show that the numbers at IDA Ireland earning over €100,000 also increased last year to 30. 

The figures show that one member of staff earned between €180,000 and €190,000; one between €170,000 and €180,000; nine between €150,000 and €160,000 and five between €140,000 and €150,000.

The figures also show that one staff member enjoyed pay between €130,000 and €140,000; one earned between €110,000 and €120,000 and 12 earned between €100,000 and €110,000.

The numbers earning over €100,000 at State agencies and across the public service increased as a result of the restoration of pay reductions, which were introduced in the early part of the last decade as a result of the financial crash and impact on public finances.

A spokesman for the Central Bank stated: "As a result of the pay restoration associated with the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act, the salaries of staff at all grades have been gradually restored since 2017, including the salaries of senior management. 

He stated: "As a result, a higher number of staff will have higher salaries than was the case prior to the pay restoration taking effect. Other than the payment of standard annual increments and increases provided for under FEMPI 2015 and the Public Service Pay and Pensions act, no other increases to salaries have been applied within the bank."

The spokesman stated that the Central Bank is subject to and compliant with the provisions of the FEMPI Acts 2009-2015 and the pay adjustments arising from this legislation were applied to all staff.

The IDA FoI unit stated that "IDA salaries are aligned to public sector salaries as approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform".