Louth councillor expenses and payments top €1 million in 2022

Louth councillors were paid a combined total of €1,066,739.52 in representational payments and expenses in 2022, figures released by Louth County Council have revealed. It is up €191,833.61 on the €874,905.91 paid out to Louth councillors in 2021.

The highest amount paid to a Louth councillor in 2022, was €55,296.06 to Cllr Pio Smith, which comprised €26.303.40 in representational payments; €8.333.36 for a Chairperson allowance; €6,000 allowance for Chairperson of an SPC; €8,480.60 in Ad Hoc expenses; €506.58 for broadband and phone; €73.50 for Public liability Personal Accident A/B; €35 for Local Authority Members Association (LAMA); €679.42 for conference expenses; €4,019.56 for other training expenses; and €864.64 for foreign travel.

The lowest amount paid to a Louth councillor was €30,152.15 to Cllr Maeve Yore, which comprised €26.303.40 in representational payments; €3,043.54 in ad hoc expenses (the lowest amount paid to any councillor); €575.03 for broadband and phone; €40.18 for Public liability Personal Accident A/B; €35 for LAMA; and €155 for other training expenses.

A total of €762,798.60 was paid to the 29 councillors in representational payments of €26.303.40 each. Cllr Conor Keelan was also paid a Chairperson allowance of €11,666.64. A Vice-Chair allowance of €2,333.34 was paid to Cllr Andrea McKevitt, and €1,666.66 to Cllr James Byrne.

A total of €185,308.61 in ad hoc expenses was paid to the 29 councillors. Most received €7-8 thousand; five received €8-9 thousand; two received €5-6 thousand; two received €4-5 thousand; and four received €3-4 thousand. The highest amount of ad hoc expenses went to Cllr James Byrne, who received €8,685.02, while the lowest went to Cllr Maeve Yore.

A €6,000 allowance for Chairperson of an SPC was paid to Cllr Joanna Byrne, Cllr Maria Doyle and Cllr Liam Reilly, as well as Cllr Pio Smith. A further €2,500 was paid to Cllr Emma Coffey and €3,500 to Cllr John Sheridan.

Cllr Kevin Meenan and Cllr Michelle Hall both received €7,000 as Chairperson of a Municipal District (MD); while Cllr James Byrne and Cllr Maria Doyle both received €5,000; €3,500 was paid to Cllr Paula Butterly and €2,500 was paid to Cllr Jim Tenanty.

A total of €15,758.06 was paid to the 29 councillors for broadband and phone; €4,787.04 was paid for Public liability Personal Accident A/B; €1,015 was paid for LAMA; €1,379.42 was paid to two councillors for conference expenses; a total of €9,814.30 was paid to eight councillors for other training expenses; and €1,878.49 was paid for foreign travel.

The total amount paid to each councillor in 2022 is listed below: