Men earn more on average at Meath County Council — but women lead on median pay
Male employees of Meath County Council earn on average 6.09pc more than their female colleagues, according to the council’s 2025 Gender Pay Gap report. However, on a median basis, women earn 4.43pc more than men.
All employers with more than 50 staff are required to publish gender pay gap data before the end of 2025, with local authorities using 30 June 2025 as their reference date.
At that time, the council’s gender breakdown was 51pc male and 49pc female across a workforce of 1,044 people
An analysis of the council’s pay quartiles — which divide all staff into four equal groups from lowest to highest paid — shows that the gender distribution broadly reflects the overall workforce.
Men are more represented in Band 4, the highest-paid quartile, with senior grades standing at 58pc male and 42pc female, an improvement on last year’s 62pc–38pc split.
In Band 3, women remain the majority at 59pc, down from 63pc in 2024. At the lower end, women make up 54pc of Band 1, continuing a gradual rise from 53pc in 2024 and 48pc in 2023.
Part-time staff account for 22pc of the workforce, with women representing 61pc of these roles. Among part-time workers, the mean gender pay gap is –12.8pc and the median gap –6.93pc.
The council said this reflects higher take-up of part-time work in administrative and clerical roles, as well as in areas where part-time work is typical, such as fire and library services and community warden roles.
A negative gender pay gap does not mean that males are paid less than females for doing the same job, but it does indicate that, on average, females occupy higher paid roles than males.
Meanwhile, temporary staff make up 7pc of the workforce, 74pc of whom are women. These roles include lifeguards, community wardens, general operatives, graduate engineers, veterinary inspectors, technicians, and drivers or machinery operators.
Among temporary staff, the mean gender pay gap is –23.44pc and the median gap –53.09pc, again indicating higher average earnings for women.
Chief executive Kieran Kehoe said the council was committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace.
“We are committed to maintaining an open and inclusive workplace community and to addressing any workplace barriers to equality,” he said.
“Our employees have equal opportunities for recognition and career development and are treated fairly and equitably.”
Mr Kehoe added: “The work of local authorities is integral to everyone’s life in Ireland. Our staff are key to the development of communities across County Meath. As an employer, Meath County Council strives to offer a positive and supportive environment, including learning and development, career progression, blended working, and flexible, family-friendly arrangements.”
The council confirmed that no employees received Benefit-in-Kind payments in 2025 and that bonus payments are not part of remuneration in the local government sector.