Leitrim County Council slashes compo bill to lowest in country

Measures taken by Leitrim Co Council have seen compensation claims fall to the lowest level in the country, latest figures reveal. 

In 2023, Leitrim County Council received 25 claims and paid out €200,348 in public liability, which is lower compared to most Councils across the country.

A survey by the Irish Independent found that County Councils across Ireland paid €54 million in public liability claims last year. This comes as a 15.7 percent increase from 2022 when €46.8 million was paid out.

Carlow, Laois and Kerry did not provide data on claims.

A majority of claims were related to slips and falls on footpaths.

Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Paddy O’Rourke believes the relatively low amount of claims and payouts in the county can be attributed to a combination of litigation costs and the council’s efforts to improve trip hazards.

“A few years before that it would’ve been much more substantial,” Cllr O’Rourke said.

“I suppose the cost of litigation and the risk of going to court without a guarantee of success is a deterrent.”

Cllr O’Rourke explained that there has been high investment in areas such as public buildings and playgrounds, removing a lot of potential tripping risks.

“The potential for slips and trips has been reduced somewhat. I think to the credit of the Council, so many improvements have taken place that the obstacles that were potential trip hazards for people down through the years have been removed or repaired.

“That along with the very high cost of engaging in solicitors with no guarantee of success for litigants is a deterrent,” Cllr O’Rourke concluded.

Dublin city saw the highest number of claims at 906 at the cost of almost €19.5 million.