Councillors are demanding a 40% pay rise due to an increase in workload, it has been reported.

The Sunday Business Post reports that Councillors get a basic payment of €16,565 and are requesting an increase of almost €6,000.

The Association of Irish Local Government, which represents Councillors, said that that the abolition of Town Councils means Councillors are covering a wider electoral area.

They also want more travel and mobile phone expenses, which were reduced two years ago by former Environment Minister Phil Hogan.

A Local Government review group has been set up to look at the pay claim, which would cost around €6m per year.