Some 22 police officers are still earning more than the permitted maximum, but that is eight down on the end of 2016, according to new figures published on Tuesday.

People working for the public sector face a pay ceiling of €181,000 under legislation introduced in 2013 to limit excessive pay packages.

Most of the police officers still earning more than the limit are regional police chiefs.

The police pay report also shows one former police officer received a pay-out of almost €1m after developing post-traumatic stress disorder because of his work. A second police officer, who is still with the force, was paid €733,000 due to ‘work-related events’.

The police hope that from next year, no officers will earn more than the permitted maximum.