Fifty senior managers working in care homes for the elderly earn more than the €193,000 limit on public sector salaries, according to research by civil service union Abvakabo.

Top of the list is Karel Verwey, former chief of the Amsterdam group Cordan. In 2012, he was given a total package of €560,000, including a €280,000 redundancy deal, Abvakabo says.

Cordan has sacked hundreds of staff over the past year in an effort to balance its books and on Wednesday was put under extra supervision by health ministry inspectors because of poor standards at its homes.