A number of local politicians are among those to benefit from a €9.5million golden handshake payments.
Councillor Gratuity Payments are due to those who have left their local authority office once they reach the age of 50 and have at least two years of qualifying service. The amount is one fifth of an elected representative’s annual wage for each year of unbroken service, once they’ve vacated the position.
Most of the payments to 324 politicians across the country between 2019 and this year were previously not disclosed.
The Irish Independent reports that Kilkenny’s local authority with counterparts in Wexford, Laois, Clare and Cork City refused to say how much four councillors were paid but did confirm they between them got a little more than €200,000 this year while former councillor Melissa O’Neill and the now Minister of State Malcolm Noonan got a share of €71,000 in 2020.
Results from Carlow are pending.
