Council pays over €250,000 to Healy-Rae Plant Hire Ltd

Almost €6.5m was paid out to 52 plant hire and haulage contractors and rental car companies by Kerry County Council in 2023

Danny Healy-Rae, owner of Healy-Rae Plant Hire Ltd. Picture: Dan Linehan

Healy-Rae Plant Hire Ltd, Main St, Kilgarvan, the company owned by TD Danny Healy-Rae and operated by his sons Johnny Healy-Rae, a Kerry county councillor, and Dan Healy-Rae earned over €250,000 from Kerry County Council in 2023.

The figures were released on request from Independent Killarney councillor Brendan Cronin. 

Almost €6.5m was paid out to a total of 52 plant hire and haulage contractors and rental car companies by the council in 2023.

Large payees include:

• Clancy Plant Hire Moyvane, Co. Kerry: €668,114; 
• Sandmore Ltd, Camp Cross, Co Kerry: €675,739; 
• Mike Cronin & Sons Ltd, Currow, Co. Kerry: €588,301; 
• Nicholas Browne & Son Limited, Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry: €471,201; and 
• Eamon and Seamus Hobbins Ltd, Killorglin were paid €430,718.

The council paid almost €392,000 to Newbridge Car & Van Rental Ltd trading as Rentals, Newhall, Naas Co Kildare; Healy-Rae Plant Hire Ltd, Kilgarvan was paid €250,813, while Dillons Waste Disposal Tralee was paid €203,121.

Crean & McHugh t/a CMP Glanmire, Co Cork, was paid €217,249 and C Wharton Tool Hire Ltd, Gortatlea, Tralee, was paid €195,763.

Kerry County Council said it procures the hire of plant and machinery and haulage services through the Dynamic Purchasing System for Local Authorities, based in Killarney. 

This is an open market tendering system, suited to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

Councillor Brendan Cronin said there was no issue with the payments but it was important the public are given the figures.

Healy-Rae Plant Hire is a third-generation family business established by the late Jackie Healy-Rae, later a TD, and his brother Dan in 1956. 

It employs more than 70 people and specialises in civil engineering, and haulage, and is involved in site clearing and road making as well as pipe laying.

Some employees have been with the company with over three decades, Johnny Healy-Rae, councillor for the Kenmare Municipal District, and company director recently told Building Ireland magazine.

Wastewater and sewage is one of its main specialities and one of its main clients now is Uisce Eireann, Mr Healy-Rae said.

It was involved in the construction of the pilot 10-acre wetland project in Lixnaw Co Kerry.

Other clients include Cork, Limerick, and Clare County Councils, Uisce Eireann, Coillte, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and BAM Ireland.