DONEGAL County Councillors have seen a substantial increase in their salaries having benefited from the first full year of their increased representational payment of almost €10,000.
The cost of the 37 councillors in 2022 was €1,470,538 compared with €1.2 million in 2021 including salaries and expenses.
Those 37 councillors elected to the local authority in 2019 were entitled to a representational salary of €17,382. Following a government decision in 2021 this basic payment increased to €27,109 linking a councillor’s basic salary to the civil service post of Assistant Staff Officer.
Councillors are also entitled to a monthly allowance, a Local Representatives Allowance, travel and special allowances for posts such as Cathaoirleach, Municipal Chair and chair of an SPC (Strategic Policy Committees).
The county’s highest paid councillor was Cllr Liam Blaney who held the Donegal County Council Cathaoirleach’s post. His total was €52,887 which included €14,488 allowance for holding the chairman’s position.
He was followed by Cllr Jack Murray who was Cathaoirleach in 2021/22. He received €50,444.90 which included the Cathaoirleach’s allowance of €12,878.
None of the other councillors went over the €50,000 mark, but Cllr. John O’Donnell was the next highest paid councillor, receiving €47,919 which included €5,864 as chair of an SPC.
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