Big pay rise on the cards for County Councillors following government decision

County Councillors in Laois and across the country are set for a significant pay rise following a government decision this morning.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his ministerial colleagues at the Cabinet table sign off on the €8,000 pay rise – bringing their salary to €25,359 per year, a 47% increase.

At present, Councillors receive a basic salary of €17,359 a year, along with an expenses allowance worth up to €5,335 and committee memberships worth up to €6,000 extra.

They can also claim vouched expenses for mobile phone bills, broadband, office costs, training and mileage for attending conferences.

Mayors or county council chairpersons get an allowance of €30,000 for the year.

The changes are set to come into effect from July 1 and this is the biggest change to the Local Authority system since the numbers of Councillors was reduced in 2013.

Under the then Minister Phil Hogan, 80 town councils were scrapped with the number of councillors being reduced from 1,627 to 950.

In Laois, that meant the number of Councillors fell from 25 to 19.

Commenting on the announcement President of Association of Irish Local Government, Cllr Mary Hoade, said: “The decision by Cabinet today is a really welcome step in recognising the value and important role of our 949 Elected Members.

“It is imperative that Councillors are provided with a proper salary, at a realistic level, which is vital to not only to attract and sustain new Councillors but to also retain existing Councillors to serve at Local Authority level.

”This announcement has been the result of an extensive campaign by AILG and others, over the last number of years, to ensure that our members have an appropriate salary reflective of the important work and time commitment that they dedicate to their role as a local Councillor.”

The independent Moorhead report was published in June 2020 which reviewed the role and renumeration of Local Authority Elected Members.

Ms. Moorhead was unequivocal in her report when she stated that she has “no hesitation in recommending an increase in remuneration for Councillors” and her acceptance that our members “workload has increased significantly since 2014”.

SEE ALSO – #LoveLaois: Local tourism chairperson picks her favourite spots in Laois

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source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2021/05/18/big-pay-rise-on-the-cards-for-county-councillors-following-government-decision/