Best paid Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown councillor earned more than €47,000

THE HIGHEST earning councillor in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council last year was Fine Gael’s John Bailey, who earned more than €47,000, figures released to The Irish Times show.

Included in his earnings was an allowance of almost €16,000 for his role as cathaoirleach, which he took up in June last year. He also received a car allowance of almost €4,000 to help him fulfil his role.

Labour Party councillor Lettie McCarthy was the second highest earner, receiving almost €42,000. She had also been cathaoirleach, earning almost €15,000 for the role for the first six months of last year and receiving a car allowance of more than €3,600.

All councillors are entitled to a basic salary of more than €16,700 a year. They receive allowances for travel and subsistence when they attend council meetings and can earn more than €6,000 annually if attendance is good. They can also claim travel and subsistence when attending conferences.

In total, councillors received more than €43,000 for their attendance at 57 conferences in 2011. Separately, the council paid out almost €16,000 for conference fees on behalf of councillors.

Cllr Pat Hand (FG) travelled to the highest number, 15, and received more than €5,000 for travel and subsistence.

Cllr Tony Fox (Ind) travelled to 12 conferences and received more than €3,600; Cllr Gerry Horkan (FF) travelled to 11 and an estimate of more than €3,600 is included in the figures for his allowance, though it is noted he has not claimed for 11. Independent councillors Victor Boyhan and Gearóid O’Keeffe travelled to 10 conferences each and received €3,450 and €4,880 respectively.

Councillors are also entitled to claim allowances for chairing strategic policy committees within the council or chairing the county development board. Cllr Maria Bailey (FG) earned more than €3,000 for chairing the county development board last year and a further €6,000 for chairing a council committee. For her attendance at 10 conferences she received travel and subsistence of more than €4,000. Her total income was just over €38,000.