Compensation claims against councils in Co Kerry are running at more than €2 million a year.
In less than two years, the councils have paid €4.268 million to more than 500 individuals. Most of the claims related to public liability for trips, falls and similar events.
Tralee accounted for a large part of the amount paid, and a good number of the claimants were “repeat litigants”, the monthly meeting of Kerry Co Council was told yesterday.
A motion by Cllr Brendan Cronin sought numbers for individual insurance compensation claims made against the county council and the three former town councils.
Between January 2013 and November 2014, there were 525 written claims against the councils. More than €2.7 million was paid out by the county council which was responsible for all but three Kerry towns.
However, almost €1 million was paid out in claims against Tralee Town Council by 46 individuals. This compared with 25 claims in Killarney where the amount paid was just over €286,000. The amount paid in Listowel for 10 claims was €246,000.
County council finance officer Angela McAllen said the claims could have been lodged in previous years because it took some time before they were finalised. Each claim was thoroughly vetted, she said. The claims were paid by the council’s insurance company.