This article is from page 18 of the 2013-02-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
CLARE’S county councillors cost the taxpayer almost € 920,000 in salaries and expenses last year.
According to accounts published by Clare County Council, 31 of the 32 councillors claimed expenses totalling € 381,664.12; this does not include the € 16,724 salary paid to each member of the council.
From the expenses listed a total of € 112, 580.99 was paid in conference allocations.
This included trips to one-, twoand three-day conferences all over Ireland including different parts of Donegal, Dublin, Mayo Waterford, Cavan, Cork and Down.
Among the many conferences attended were conferences on ‘Utilising your Tax Entitlements and Relief’, ‘Understanding EU funding and functions’, ‘Personal Injuries’, ‘Dr Garret Fitzgerald Spring Seminar’ and ‘Local Media and the Councillor’.
Councillors have also claimed for mobile phones, stationary, computers and repairs to lap tops under this category, although this makes up a very small percentage of the overall allocation.
Councillors also receive allocations for mobile phone use, which varies from councillor to councillor and was reduced in July 2012.
An allowance for attending meetings, replacing the old milage system, is also paid as are special allowances to the mayor, deputy mayor and those serving as chairperson of a Strategic Policy Committee.
Councillors appointed to the VEC, HSE West Forum and other public bodies are also entitled to claim expenses from these bodies, which is not included in this county council figures.
While the position of county councillor is not considered a full-time job, a number of Clare’s local elected representatives have decided to become full-time elected representatives.
The majority of members however also have another form of income through employment, business, farming or are retired professionals.
All councillors are required to pay tax and PRSI on their council “salary”.
Just one member of the council, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG), does not claim any expenses as a member of Clare County Council or as a member of Ennis Town Council.
He is frustrated however that he cannot reallocate this money saved to projects and issues within the community.