THE dole pays more than monthly payments received by any councillor.
So says Cllr Michael Hourigan, responding to a Limerick Post story in which city manager, Tom Mackey, confirmed the annual limit for expenses for each councillor has been reduced to €4,700.
Cllr Hourigan said that the city’s 17 councillors have taken a combined 60% cut in salary and expenses – 12% in salary and approximately 50% in expenses.
“In relation to the income we receive, some of us could get more on the dole, and in relation to conferences we attend, upwards of 30% goes on the conference fee”.
The salary rate for councillors has fallen from €17,604 per annum on January 1, to €16,724.
“On the higher rate of tax that I’m on, I’m getting between €684 and €700 a month in salary. With expenses reduced, they will now work out at about €392 per month – I don’t think these rates of income would prove an attractive enough incentive to go into local government”.
In defending expenses, Cllr Hourigan pointed out that meetings also include an increasing number of presentations from professionals and outside agencies, on specific issues relating to city developmental, infrastructural, business and cultural matters.
“Meetings are going on considerably longer, sometimes resulting in additional meetings having to be factored in, and while our presence is required, we are being paid less, rather than more in our salaries – I’m not complaining about this – everyone is taking cuts and there are more to come -but I’m just responding to your queries”.
Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon, says that at a time when everyone is taking cuts, politicians can’t expect to be the exception.
“What I would prefer is to keep the councillors’ salaries higher but to do away almost entirely with the expenses and fees for conferences. And councillors throughout the country should keep at arm’s length from organising conferences, as is happening throughout the country”.
In response to a query as to how many of the councillors will be taking up the offer from the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) to take part in a new one-year Certificate in Irish Government and Politics certificate programme, accredited by the National University of Ireland, Cllr Hourigan said that this issue has yet to be discussed at a council meeting.
