Details of payments to individual councillors, which are not available in my Department , would be required in order to provide a reasonably accurate estimate of the savings arising on account of the reduction of the number of councillors. Notwithstanding this, it is estimated that the savings involved will amount to approximately €3.7 million per annum. However, this is a very tentative estimate and it is difficult to disaggregate the savings, for example in relation to the annual expenses allowance as there are a number of variables such as varying distances of elected members’ places of residence from local authority head offices. More detailed information could be sought from individual local authorities.