Clare County Council spent nearly €12,500 euro in covering the expenses of 20 local representatives who attended a conference in Co. Donegal last year.
Details of all payments to Councillors in 2016 have been revealed, showing Clare’s elected representatives were paid over €830,000 in salaries and expenses.
The brochure advertising last year’s Association of Local Government conference in Buncrana said it was classed as “a training event for purposes of payment” for Councillors who attended.
Journalist and broadcaster Richard Curran was among the speakers at the two-day event which comprised a total of four sessions that focused on revitalising cities, towns and villages.
20 of Clare’s Councillors made the 400-mile round trip to Donegal for the event, and between them were paid €12,429.46 in expenses by Clare County Council.
The money forms part of the €832,089.94 paid to Clare’s Councillors last year, which includes €77,957.48 in total on training and conferences.
Current Cathaoirleach Bill Chambers, and his predecessor James Breen both received over forty thousand euro – both men received allowances by virtue of their positions – while the chairs of Strategic Policy Committees and Municipal Districts also get additional allowances.
The vast majority of the money has been paid by Clare County Council itself.
The rest – €31,599.24 – has been paid by other public bodies to which various Councillors have been appointed.
See the Register of Councillors Expenses, including details of payments to each Councillor by clicking Here.
