Councillors claim over €213K in expenses in 2020

Cavan County Council paid out a total of €213,604.89 in members’ payments and expenses in 2020. The local authority’s budget for payment to the 17 elected members from January 1 to December 31 was €508,147.78.

The overall 2020 figure is down from €522,557.93 in 2019. The main reductions came under the headings of travel and subsistence allowance in the year of Covid that saw most meetings hosted online and travel greatly restricted.

Travel and subsistence payouts shrunk from €9,245.08 in 2019 to €4,463.22; while foreign travel reduced from €2,596.37 the previous year to €374.89.

On the other side there was an increased spend under the headings of SPC chair allowance and Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach allowances.

The total payments to members ranged from €37,826.81 to €23,088.99. Councillors have a basic representational allowance of €17,379.42, along with annual allowance and Municipal District allowance.

The majority of the payments were made up of councillors’ representational allowances. Members receive additional payments if they serve in the role of chair of a Special Policy Committee (€6,000), with the cathaoirleach’s allowance the largest pay out. The head of the chamber takes up the position mid year, so two members get over €9,000 each.

The top three recipients in 2020 were Cllr Sarah O’Reilly (€37,826.81) who served at the Cathaoirleach of the Council and as a chair of an MD during the term, Cllr Shane P. O’Reilly (€35,930.36) who also served as Cathaoirleach and an MD Chair, and Cllr Val Smith (€33,120.73) who served as an SPC chair and a MD chair in the course of 2020.

Allowances are taxable, while expenses are not. Traditionally, councillors who live furthest from Cavan Town, the administrative HQ of the local authority, generate larger travel expenses.