Over €712K in payments and expenses to councillors in 2022

Cavan County Council paid out a total of €712,627.09 in members’ payments and expenses in 2022. It represents an increase of almost a quarter on the 2021 figure of €577,373.71.

It should be noted, however, that a councillor’s basic Representational Allowance rose from €21,600.21 in 2021 to €26,296.37 in 2022. They also receive an Annual Allowance and Municipal District allowance. Allowances are taxable, while vouched expenses are not.

The total payments to members on Cavan County Council last year ranged from €32,122.88 to €59,020.67. The main increases came under the headings of Travel & Subsistence, which saw a rise from €8,671.50 in 2021 to €26,219.13 in 2022.

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 payout. The head of the chamber takes up the position mid year, so two members received close to an extra €10,000 each.

The top three recipients in 2022 were Fianna Fáil’s John Paul Feeley (€59,020.67) who served at the Cathaoirleach of the Council and as a chair of an MD during the term; Independent Cllr Shane P O’Reilly (€43,646.88) from Mullagh who was chair of the Ballyjamesduff MD and Fine Gael’s Val Smith (€43,266.95) from Lavey who served as an SPC chair in the course of 2022. Belturbet Independent Councillor Brendan Fay received the lowest amount at just over €32,000.

“Sure half of that was my actual salary,” responded Cathaoirleach, John Paul Feeley when asked about the figures.

“The most obvious thing is that I’m in the highest band for travel because I’m furthest from the council headquarters, and secondly I have been chair for half of that term, it’s pretty straight forward.”

Cllr Feeley is based in Blacklion; while his role as cathaoirleach requires him to travel to events the length and breadth of the county.

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.

The figures have been rising steadily post Covid.

Cavan County Council paid out a total of €213,604.89 in members’ payments and expenses in 2020. The local authority had budgeted for payments to elected members of around €508,147.78 prior to the pandemic hitting.

The figured paid out for 2019, pre Covid, was €522,557.93.