Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have discussed the issue of councillors’ pensions in the past. As we are all aware, councillors are paid weekly. They pay class S PRSI, which is 4% of their remuneration.It is totally illegal. They get no pension on retirement or when they cease office although they do get a modest lump sum. It is no more than anyone in the public or Civil Service who has put in the years, such as teachers, gardaí, members of the Army and TDs who get a lump sum and their pension. Most are paying similar type rates of around 4% or 6%. They are in the category where they should be receiving it. This needs to be addressed. We have talked about it before. Before we restructured the pay and whatever else it was a hot issue, and since then, it has not been pushed too hard. Will the Leader liaise with the Cathaoirleach to get the Minister to come to the House to debate the issue? It is a serious issue for councillors and something that needs to be addressed because the State’s stance on this is totally illegal.