160 perks for local authorities to be axed

More than 160 allowances for existing local authority workers are set to be cut after the Department of the Environment said it was surprised at having discovered hundreds of unknown perks for staff.

The move could save the department up to €44m, but is expected to be challenged by unions and staff.

Department secretary general Geraldine Tallon said the allowances would be “phased out” as trade union chiefs yesterday said they would fight efforts to eliminate perks across sectors.