Kilkenny councillors set for 50% pay increase

Kilkenny city and county councillors are set to receive a close to 50% pay increase.

The government looks set to back a plan to increase councillors pay by an extra €8,000 per year.

Currently, councillors are paid €17,060 a year, along with vouched expenses up to €5,000 and unvouched expenses up to €2,667.

The plans come on the back of a report commissioned by the Government in 2018, which found many councillors retiring from public life as the found it nearly impossible to juggle a full-time job and the role as a public servant.

Kilkenny’s Minister for Local Government John Paul Phelan is to address an Oireachtas Committee this morning, regarding the increase.