Breakdown of the €1.14 million paid to Louth councillors in 2024

A total of €1,142,988.63 in representational payments and expenses was paid to Louth councillors in 2024, an increase of over €43,000 on the amounts paid in 2023, according to figures recently released by Louth County Council.

The figures include €860,595.45 in representational payments, as well as €148,418.72 in ad hoc expenses, €14,486.08 in training expenses, and €11,858.65 in foreign travel expenses.

The highest amount was paid to Cllr Seán Kelly, who received €52,365.25 in total, which included €29,755.58 as a representational payment for a full year, €12,000 as Chairperson of Dundalk Municipal District, €2,500 as chairperson of a Strategic Policy Committee (SPC); €7,265.52 in ad hoc expenses; and €2,975.94 in foreign travel expenses.

The lowest amount paid to a councillor who served as councillor for a full year in 2024, was to Cllr Kevin Meenan, who received €32,063.30. €29,755.58 was his representational payment, €1,700.77 in ad hoc expenses; a €571.95 payment for Broadband & Phone Allowance; and €35 in relation to Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) membership.

As there was a local election in 2024, councillors who were re-elected in June received the equivalent of a full year's payment, while those who served until June, or who were elected in June, received a proportionate amount.

Of those who were elected in June, the highest amount was paid to Cllr Ejiro O’Hare Stratton, who received amounts including €16,247.69 in representational payments; and €4,646.24 in ad hoc expenses.

Read also: Louth County Council surpassed social housing delivery target for 2022–2024

The figures do not show any payments to either Cllr Rachel Kerley or Cllr Debbie McCole, both councillors who were co-opted to Louth County Council following the general election last November, which saw Cllr Paula Butterly and Cllr Joanna Byrne elected as TDs.

Looking at the 2024 figures in more detail, three councillors received over €50,000 in payments last year, Cllr Seán Kelly, Cllr Pio Smith, and Cllr Kevin Callan.

Cllr Pio Smith received €52,958.85 in total, which included his €29,755.58 representational payment; €7,000 as chair of an SPC; €9,428.08 in ad hoc expenses – the highest amount of ad hoc expenses paid to a councillor last year; €700 for conference expenses in the State; and €5,308.23 in training expenses.

Over the past six years, Cllr Smith has claimed €19,131.32 in training expenses, claiming €5,308.23 in 2024; €6,238.75 in 2023; €4,019.56 in 2022; €1,284.44 in 2021; €795.24 in 2020; and €1,485.10 in 2019.

Cllr Kevin Callan received €50,400.24, which included his €29,755.58 representational payment; €11,666.70 for his chairperson allowance, the Drogheda councillor having been Cathaoirleach last year; €5,253.67 in ad hoc expenses; and €2,858.29 in foreign travel expenses.

Of the councillors who served less than a year in 2024, ie, were elected in 2024 or served until June 2024, the highest amount was paid to Cllr Ejiro O’Hare Stratton, who received €21,345.03. Cllr O’Hare Stratton, who was elected last June, received €16,247.69 as her representational payment; as well as €4,646.24 in ad hoc expenses.

Other amounts paid to councillors in 2024, included a total of €16,211.08 in broadband and phone allowances, with amounts to councillors ranging from €623.61 to €163.49.

€5,276.85 was paid in relation to public liability/personal accident, with amounts ranging from €259.05 to €19.78.
€14,486.08 in total was paid in training expenses. €5,308.23 was paid to Cllr Pio Smith in training expenses; €3,469.44 paid to Cllr Jim Tenanty; €2,564.73 paid to Cllr James Byrne; €1,796.74 to Cllr Declan Power; €726.07 to Cllr Paddy McQuillan; and €620.87 paid to Cllr Emma Cutlip.

A total of €11,858.65 was paid in foreign travel expenses, with €3,048.28 being paid to Cllr Paula Butterly; €2,975.94 to Cllr Seán Kelly and also Cllr Dolores Minogue; and €2,858.29 to Cllr Kevin Callan.