An effort by local authorities to end the use of paper payslips and replace them with 2-payslips has still not been implemented.
In 2019 a motion calling for the end of a paper-based system was passed but has yet to be implemented.
Currently Ireland's 949 councillors receive details of their salary the old-fashioned way via payslips the post.
When the motion was passed as part of a climate change proposal, Minister Peter Burke indicated he was in favour of the scheme.
Independent Galway councillor Geraldine Donohoe has contacted Mr Burke on numerous occasions seeking details on how the proposal is progressing.
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Most recently she contacted the Minister on November 14, noting: "It has been over three years since my Notice of Motion was proposed and passed by members of Galway County Council to move to electronic payslips similar to the system that you would be familiar with as an Oireachtas Member."
However, a pilot scheme has started to deal with the 950 wage slips has started.
On July 12 this year she asked the Minister: "Could you please provide an update on the pilot that has been carried out in a local authority setting."
The councillor also asked: "Can you please advise when all local authorities members will be receiving electronic payslips."
She also noted that the Minister had on April 20, 2021 stated that "an upgrade was due across all local authorities by the end of 2021 - however, to date electronic payslips have not materialised".
In May, Ms Donohoe did receive a hopeful letter from the Minister who warned that the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) "has advised that one of the key areas around the use of online payslips is the security of access, that is, ensuring that only the intended recipient has access to his/her payslip in the most secure fashion".
Mr Burke told the councillor: "The LGMA has completed testing the functionality, usability, and security aspects of the most up-to-date version of the payroll system with a view to progressing the implementation of online payslips for the local government sector.
"This is currently being piloted in a local authority setting. On completion, the LGMA will work with the sector to plan the next steps in making this available to the remaining local authorities."
Ms Donohoe told the Minister: "As we await further developments, there is a great desire among councillors to move to electronic payslips similar to what is available to their Oireachtas members. I am asking that you please make the move happen given all the environmental challenges Ireland is facing."
Ms Donohoe, when contacted, said: "I am frankly astonished we still haven't managed to transfer less than 1,000 councillors to a modern climate friendly system."
