Members of Kilkenny County Council claimed training and education allowances totalling €87,114.70 in 2011, according to council figures.
So, what exactly were they learning?
Here, according to the monthly meeting agendas from March 2010 until last month, are the conferences attended by the 26 members over the course of the year.
Maurice Shortall (January 14-16) EU Legislation LA Housing
Fidelis Doherty (January 29) Law Reform in Ireland’s Economic Future
John Brennan (February 4) Carlow Annual Tourism Conference
Maurice Shortall (February 11-12) AMAI Spring Seminar
Matt Doran (March 4-6) Employment Law and Insurance Issues
Pat Dunphy (March 18-20) Effective Time and Priority Management
Fidelis Doherty (March 24-25) Rebuilding Confidence in Urban and Rural Communities
Maurice Shortall (March 4-6) Media Skills
Sean Treacy (April 15-17) The Future of Local Politics
Cora Long (April 15-17) Good Friday Agreement
Martin Brett (April 29-30) LAMA Conference
Pat Crowley (May 13-15) Public Speaking
Mary Hilda Cavanagh (May 27-29) Exploring Local Government Reform
John Brennan (June 1-5) Listowel Writers Weekend
Andrew McGuinness (June 3) Renewable Energy Local Government – Can make a difference
Pat Dunphy (June 17) Challenges and Opportunities Facing Local Government
Mary Hilda Cavanagh (June 10-12) Training Seminar – Responsibilities indemnity from liability of decisions of the body corporate
Pat Millea (April 1) Nuclear-Free Local Authorities Seminar
Mary Hilda Cavanagh (May 27-29) Exploring Local Govt. Reform – Lessons to be learned from the Private Sector
Michael O’Brien (June 17) Sean McDiarmada Summer School
Tom Maher (June 24-26) Performance Management for Councillors
Mary Hilda Cavanagh and Sean Treacy (July 8-10) Time Management Media and IT Skills
Maurice Shortall (July 15-17) Trevor/Bowen Summer School
Jane Galway (July 15-17) Gaeilge for Comhairleoiri
Mary Hilda Cavanagh, Sean Treacy and Pat Millea (July 22-23) The Cllr and Local Govt. Environmental Service
Mary Hilda Cavanagh (July 25-27) Briefing for members – Current issues in Education
John Coonan, Pat Millea, Cora Long and Matt Doran (July, 29) McGill Summer School – Transforming Ireland 2011-2016
Andrew McGuinness (July 29-31) Health and Safety, Risk Assessment and Insurance
Tomas Breathnach (August, 12-13) Practical Planning Law for Cllrs
John Coonan (August 12-14) Legislation for reform of Local Govt.
Mary Hilda Cavanagh (August 14-19) Parnell Summer School – Equality then and now
Jane Galway (August 19-21) Local Govt. promoting renewable energy – Advantages of Solar Power
Tom Maher (September 8-10) AMAI Annual Conference
Fidelis Doherty (9th September 9) Developing Community Resilience and Understanding
Michael O’Brien (September 9-10) Anthony Trollope Summer School
Matt Doran (September 23-25) Effective Representation to your constituents
Tommy Prendergast (September 23-24) LAMA Autumn – The role of tourism in economic recovery
Catherine Connery (September 28) Ageing Well Network
John Coonan (September 29) TASC – Instruments of Recovery
Fidelis Doherty (30th September 30) National Enterprise Conference
Catherine Connery (3rd October 3) Simon – Homelessness and Health – Making a Link
Fidelis Doherty (October 7-8) Local Government and Planning Seminar
Pat Dunphy (October, 14-16) Local Authority Housing Affected by the Social Housing Assessment Regulations
Eamon Aylward (October 21-31) Celtic Conferences – Optimising Taxation Allowance and Revenue on line workshop
Catherine Connery (November 4) BMW Assembly – Regional Innovation – catalyst for sustainable economic growth
Tommy Prendergast (November 4) Local Govt. Powers to create/abolish rights of way
Matt Doran (November 4-6) Local Govt. Powers to create/abolish rights of way
Catherine Connery (November 5) Conference on great war 1914-1918
Fidelis Doherty (November 9) ‘Back from the brink’
Marie Fitzpatrick (November 11) ‘Nuclear Free Local Authorities’
Fidelis Doherty (November 12) Strategic Planning for 2012
Pat Dunphy (November 18-20) Institute of Professional Training – Local Authority Budgets 2012
Catherine Connery (November 24-26) Tourism – The potential for Economic Growth
Eamon Aylward (November 25) Renewable Energy
Sean Treacy (October 28-29) The role of the Councillor in Education and the Community
Fidelis Doherty (December 10) Septic tanks and the Environment
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