The hire of plant and equipment from private contractors, most of them based in Kerry, cost Kerry County Council €5.1 million last year, figures released by the council revealed this week.
Among the three top earners of almost 100 contractors to the council were Dillon Waste Ltd, Tralee, which was paid almost €500,000 and Clancy Plant Hire Ltd, Listowel, which earned almost €331,000. Mr Danny Healy-Rae of Kilgarvan, son of Mr Jackie Healy-Rae, was paid the third highest sum at more than €295,000. The figures were released following a request by Cllr Brendan Cronin (Ind).
Overall, payments for 2002 were some €2 million down on the previous year, probably because there was less road improvement, a council spokesperson said.
It was the council's policy to try to achieve value for money in the hire of plant and equipment, with reliability and plant operator skill also taken into account, said Mr John O'Connor, head of finance with the council