More than €170,000 in expenses claimed by Wicklow county councillors so far this year
The Wicklow PeopleNew figures show councillors in Wicklow have been reimbursed €173,926.50 in expenses between them so far this year.
Expenses are generally made available to cover the costs incurred by councillors as they carry out their representational duties. Broadband and phone bills, insurance, training, attendance at conferences and mileage are among the costs councillors can claim funds for.
The payment of expenses to councillors in their current form are made under regulations first adopted in 2021.
The travel and subsistence elements are calculated by reference to the distance from each councillor’s home to council headquarters and is calculated on an annual basis and paid in monthly instalments.
Councillors get an annual salary of €28,145, which is taxable and an additional allowance of €3,162.36 a year.
Data published by Wicklow County Council up to the end of September 2025 shows independent councillor Stephen Stokes, who is based in Greystones, received the highest amount with €8,853.18.
His independent colleague in Baltinglass, Cllr Jason Mulhall, was the second highest with his expenses running to €8,039.63 followed by Sinn Fein councillor Dermot Daisy O’Brien in Bray, who claimed €7,915.96.
Among the other high earners were Green Party Bray councillor Erika Doyle, who received €7,915.96, with her party colleague in Greystones, Cllr Lourda Scott, being paid €7,492.23.
Labour councillor Paul O’Brien, who was cathaoirleach of the council until June of this year, is also placed towards the top of the list being reimbursed €7,354.98 alongside Fine Gael’s Peter Stapleton taking home €7,342.00.
Councillors Peir Leonard and Gerry O’Neill were among the other highest independent members compensated with sums of €5,542.38 and €5,517.87 respectively, followed by Cllr Tom Fortune with €5,156.16 and Cllr Joe Behan with €4,119.70.
First time councillor Malachaí Duddy claimed €4,740.19.
Among the other highest paid party member councillors include two cathaoirligh with Fine Gael’s Melanie Corrigan claiming €6,645.31 and her party colleague Avril Cronin being paid €5,991.25.
Cllr Cronin’s district colleague, Fianna Fail’s Patsy Glennon, was reimbursed €5,562.76.
Meanwhile Social Democrats representative Caroline Winstanley, from Bray, picked up €4,381.42 and Sinn Fein’s member in Arklow, Warren O’Toole, was reimbursed €4,605.70.
At the lower end of the list are councillors Sylvester Bourke, Louise Fenlon Gaskin, Orla Finn, Shane Langrell, and John Snell who claimed €3,925.30, €3,857.98, €3,745.84, €3,499.36 and €3,327.16 respectively.
Aoife Flynn Kennedy, who resigned her council seat in March, was paid €2,054.03 up until May.
Her seat was filled by Cllr Ned Whelan, who received €2,186.62 in expenses between June and September.