County councillors paid almost €1m in expenses last year

Councillors paid almost €1m in expenses last year


Áine Ryan

MAYO’s 31 county councillors were paid almost €1 million in expenses during 2013, according to figures released by the local authority’s Corporate Affairs Department. They were paid €900,669.06 in expenses, allowances and representational payment last year with an average claim by each councillor of €29,344.
The two councillors, Cyril Burke and Johnny O’Malley, who served as Cathaoirleach during the year, racked up significantly higher bills due to their roles as leaders of the council. Castlebar’s Cllr Cyril Burke was the highest paid with a bill of €52,552, which included his additional allowance as Cathaoirleach of €21,984, on top of his representational payment of €16.657.79 and €6,751.04 for conference expenses in Ireland.
The present Cathaoirleach, Cllr John O’Malley, who is based in Carrowholly, near Westport, had the second-highest expenses with a bill in 2013 of €50,053.22. His payment included the additional allowance of €23,095.45, as well as his annual allowance of €5,985.48 and conference expenses in Ireland of €2,925.80.
The only two councillors, other than both Cathaoirligh, to claim expenses for overseas travel, were Fianna FΡil’s Blackie Gavin and Damian Ryan. Cllr Gavin claimed €513.46 for travelling to Cleveland for a Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland function and Cllr Ryan claimed €707.20 for a promotional visit to the US for St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The councillor with the lowest claim, €22,084.63 was Castlebar Independent Frank Durcan while Fine Gael’s Cllr Gerry Coyle, who travels from Geesala, in Erris, was the third-highest claimant with a bill of €35,118.87. His colleague from Erris, Sinn Féin’s Cllr Rose Conway-Walsh, made a claim of €27,535.18.  
Cllr Eddie Staunton of Crossmolina submitted the fourth highest claim with a bill of €34,340.61.
Councillors are entitled to an annual representational payment of  €16,657.79 as well as an annual allowance that varies from €5,339.04 to €10,295.28.