Latest news with #LRA
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Cork's highest-paid county councillor last year received nearly €80k, payments register reveals
Each year, the council publishes the total amount claimed by elected representatives across the county, outlining all expenses over the full calendar year. The overall bill for 2024 was €2,626,392, a 6.7% increase on the €2,461,723 paid out in 2023. The highest paid councillor was Fianna Fáil's Joe Carroll who earned €79,406, followed by party colleague Frank O'Flynn (€75,828). Both men served terms as County Mayor during 2024, a role which comes with an allowance of almost €21,000. Fermoy Councillor O'Flynn was County Mayor from June 2023 to June 2024 and was then succeeded by West Cork Councillor Carroll for the following year. Cllr Carroll's 2024 payment also included €1,302 arrears from 2023. In third place was Cllr Mary Linehan Foley. The Independent Youghal councillor earned €57,536 in 2024, followed by Fermoy's Deirdre O'Brien (€54,813) and Kanturk-Mallow's Gearoid Murphy (€54,608), both of Fianna Fáil. Cllrs Linehan Foley and O'Brien received a Municipal Chair allowance of €2,989 and €3,012 respectively for chairing the East Cork and Fermoy Municipal Districts while Cllr Murphy received an allowance of €6,230 as the chair of a Strategic Policy Committee. Cllr Murphy was also paid arrears of €1,014 for 2023 while Cllr Linehan Foley received €813 in arrears. Councillors get a taxable annual salary of €28,145, known as a Representational Payment, and an additional allowance of €3,162 a year. They can also claim expenses for training and attendance at events, conferences and external committees as well as foreign travel on council business. The bulk of the figure paid out to Cork's councillors in 2024 was accounted for by the Representational Payment (€1,653,420), followed by the annual expense allowance (€514,924). The Local Representative Allowance (LRA) cost €114,894. The LRA is payable on a vouched basis for expenditure up to €5,160 per annum incurred by the elected member in the performance of their duties. The other major expenditure items in 2024 were training expenses (€113,060) and allowances for Special Policy Committee chairs (€52,846), Municipal District chairs (€48,127) and County Mayors (€42,228). Three councillors availed of a once-off allowance of up to €2,500 to install security equipment in their homes or offices: Cobh Cllr Cathal Rasmussen (Labour), Carrigaline Cllr Una McCarthy (Fine Gael) and Cllr Mary Linehan Foley. The payment was introduced in 2023 following a number of security and safety incidents experienced by councillors around the country. Last year saw changes to the composition of Cork County Council with local elections in June in which some members were elected for the first time and others lost their seats or stepped down. That was followed by the general election in November when five of Cork's county councillors were elected to the Dáil and replaced by co-opted party colleagues. For those reasons, some councillors only incurred expenses for part of 2024. The full list of payments can be found on Cork County Council's website here: Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
RAF CEO intends to appeal against suspension ruling in court battle
Collins Letsoalo, suspended RAF CEO will appeal the judgment not lifting his suspension Image: File Suspended Road Accident Fund (RAF) chief executive Collins Letsoalo has hit back at the judge who refused to lift his suspension, citing nearly 40 points in which he claimed the judge had erred in his judgment. Letsoalo has applied for leave to appeal against last month's judgment in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria. In a scathing judgment, Judge Nasious Moshoanathe said Letsoalo's application was deemed vexatious. He found Letsoalo's suspension effected by the RAF Board earlier this month to be lawful, rational, and reasonable. While the judge had some harsh words regarding Letsoalo's earlier urgent application, the suspended CEO will again have to face the judge in court, as Judge Moshoanathe will have to decide on whether to grant him leave to appeal or not. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading In slapping Letsoalo with the legal costs, the judge last month said: 'The present litigation is aimed at protecting pecuniary interests as opposed to protecting a constitutional right. This court takes the view that the present application is frivolous and vexatious. Mr Letsoalo, for very selfish reasons, it seems, disavowed adequate and substantial remedies available to him in terms of the LRA (Labour Relations Act).' In his leave to appeal application, Letsoalo remarked that the judge was biased from the start, and Letsoalo had the reasonable apprehension that the judge was assisting the respondents, being the RAF and its board. He said most of the issues the court had decided upon in its judgment were raised by the court itself and not by the respondents. In his notice for leave to appeal, Letsoalo made an issue of the fact that the court did not find that there was no resolution by the RAF Board to appoint the firm of attorneys which had represented them in court. His counsel during legal arguments in the main application said the matter should have proceeded on an unopposed basis. In one of his many points where he felt the court had erred in turning down his application, Letsoalo said the judge chose to ignore his entire version as to why his suspension was unreasonable and irrational. He also objected to the judge slapping him with the legal costs and for not accepting the argument made by his counsel that this was a constitutional matter, thus he should not face the financial consequences of losing the legal battle.
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Collins Letsoalo challenges suspension ruling in high-stakes appeal
Collins Letsoalo, suspended RAF CEO will appeal the judgment not lifting his suspension Image: File Suspended Road Accident Fund (RAF) chief executive Collins Letsoalo has hit back at the judge who refused to lift his suspension, citing nearly 40 points in which he claimed the judge had erred in his judgment. Letsoalo has applied for leave to appeal against last month's judgment in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria. In a scathing judgment, Judge Nasious Moshoanathe said Letsoalo's application was deemed vexatious. He found Letsoalo's suspension effected by the RAF Board earlier this month to be lawful, rational, and reasonable. While the judge had some harsh words regarding Letsoalo's earlier urgent application, the suspended CEO will again have to face the judge in court, as Judge Moshoanathe will have to decide on whether to grant him leave to appeal or not. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ In slapping Letsoalo with the legal costs, the judge last month said: 'The present litigation is aimed at protecting pecuniary interests as opposed to protecting a constitutional right. This court takes the view that the present application is frivolous and vexatious. Mr Letsoalo, for very selfish reasons, it seems, disavowed adequate and substantial remedies available to him in terms of the LRA (Labour Relations Act).' In his leave to appeal application, Letsoalo remarked that the judge was biased from the start, and he (Letsoalo) had the reasonable apprehension that the judge was assisting the respondents (the RAF and its board). He said most of the issues the court had decided upon in its judgment were raised by the court itself and not by the respondents. In his notice for leave to appeal, Letsoalo made a big issue of the fact that the court did not find that there was no resolution by the RAF Board to appoint the firm of attorneys which had represented them in court. His counsel during legal arguments in the main application said the matter should have proceeded on an unopposed basis. In one of his many points where he felt the court had erred in turning down his application, Letsoalo said the judge chose to ignore his (Letsoalo's) entire version as to why his suspension was unreasonable and irrational. He also objected to the judge slapping him with the legal costs and for not accepting the argument made by his counsel that this was a constitutional matter, thus he should not face the financial consequences of losing the legal battle.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Super Bowl Champion Willie Colon Drives Discovery at 2025 Annual Lupus Research Alliance Golf Fundraiser
Over 300 attendees raised $450,000 to fuel research breakthroughs for those living with lupus SUMMIT, N.J., June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lupus Research Alliance, the world's largest private funder of lupus research, partnered with Super Bowl Champion and current Fox Sports 1 co-host Willie Colon on the 11th Annual Willie Colon Golf Outing – raising an incredible $450,000 for lupus research. The sold-out event on June 23 brought together over 300 golfers in honor of Colon's late mother Jean Davis, who had lupus, a chronic, complex autoimmune disease that affects millions worldwide. To date, the event has raised nearly $3 million to help the LRA fund and fuel innovative breakthroughs that aim to improve the lives of those living with lupus. "Eleven years ago, my family chose to partner with the Lupus Research Alliance with this golf outing – all in the hopes of supporting lupus research that can improve treatments and find a cure," said Colon, a long-time and highly committed LRA board member. "Although my mother died before a cure was discovered, I have confidence that future generations will benefit from the research the LRA is funding now. While no one individual, no one family, and no one organization can conquer lupus, together we can, and we will." A host of sports stars joined Colon, the former Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets lineman, aiming to score a hole-in-one for lupus research. Those in attendance included Craig Carton (FS1), Greg Giannoti (WFAN), Brian Custer (ESPN), and Connor Hughes (SNY). Former New York Jets players in attendance include Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brandon Marshall, David Harris, Erik Coleman, Fred Baxter, Dave Szott, Matt Simms, and Chris Ivory. Other sports celebrities supporting the event include Darnell Stapleton (Pittsburgh Steelers), Brandon Hunt (Las Vegas Raiders), Adalius Thomas (Baltimore Ravens), Kendall Simmons (Pittsburgh Steelers), Chris Canty (New York Giants), and Mike Adams (Carolina Panthers). At the event, Colon thanked the five chairs who helped organize the outing -- Xavier V. Goss, at (Capital Group), Ted Knauss (The PNC Financial Services Group), Daniel LaVecchia (Cantor Fitzgerald), Nidhi Patel (BlackRock), and Julius D. Williams (Invesco). Thanks also went to primary sponsors: Tito's Handmade Vodka, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and the Willie and Aikisha Colon Foundation. About Lupus Lupus is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. In lupus, the immune system, meant to defend against infections, produces autoantibodies that mistake the body's own cells as foreign, causing other immune cells to attack organs such as the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs and skin, as well as blood and joints. Ninety percent of people with lupus are women, most often diagnosed between the ages of 15-45. Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian and Pacific Islander people are disproportionately affected by lupus and more likely to experience severe lupus symptoms. About the Lupus Research AllianceThe Lupus Research Alliance is the largest non-governmental, non-profit funder of lupus research worldwide. The organization aims to transform treatment by funding the most innovative lupus research, fostering scientific talent, and driving discovery toward better diagnostics, improved treatments and, ultimately a cure for lupus. Because the Lupus Research Alliance's Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of all donations goes to support lupus research programs. For more information or to donate to lupus research, visit the LRA at and on social media at: X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Lupus Research Alliance
Zawya
10-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Deeming provision, 'indefinite' employment does not mean 'permanent' employment
The South African labour market shifts constantly. To help businesses roll with the punches, temporary employment services (TES) providers are instrumental in connecting industries with flexible staffing solutions, and skilled job seekers with work. However, the 'deeming provision' contained in the Labour Relations Act (LRA) can introduce a layer of complexity to this relationship that often leads to misunderstandings and disputes. For companies considering engaging with a TES provider to benefit from workforce agility, a clear understanding of the deeming provision is essential. Image source: damedeeso – Unpacking the misconceptions - revealing the 'deemed' reality At the heart of the matter is section 198A of the Labour Relations Act. According to this provision, if a temporary employee is assigned to a client for longer than three months, and is not performing a genuinely temporary service, they are 'deemed' to be the employee of the client for the purposes of the LRA. It is this seemingly straightforward rule that has become the source of heated debate. The biggest misconception is usually that 'deemed employment' amounts to 'permanent employment', which is a fundamental misunderstanding. What happens after the three-month period passes is that the client and the TES provider become jointly and severally liable for labour matters, while the original triangular employment relationship persists. Where does this misunderstanding on 'deemed employment' come from? Several factors contribute, including the complexity of the legislation, a difference of interpretive opinion between employers and unions, and the lingering confusion between the concepts of 'indefinite' and 'permanent' employment. Building legal clarification through the Assign Services and Swissport rulings In the Assign Services judgment, it was confirmed that the deeming provision establishes a triangular relationship, without constituting a complete transfer of employment. After three months, the client assumes joint liability, but does not replace the TES provider as the primary employer. Then, in, GIWUSA obo Mgdezi & Others vs Swissport & Workforce Staffing, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration delivered much-needed insight into the 'equal treatment' aspect of the deeming provision. According to this principle, temporary employees who are deemed to be employees of the client after three months must be treated fairly and comparably to the client's permanent employees, particularly in terms of their employment conditions. However, the Swissport ruling emphasised the need for a legitimate comparator when assessing equal treatment and doubled down on the distinction between indefinite and permanent employment, pointing out that deemed indefinitely employed does equate to permanent status. Operational impacts - what businesses need to know The deeming provision brings it home for businesses. After three months, clients become accountable for labour relations matters, including dismissals and unfair labour practices. This increased accountability is designed to ensure fair treatment and protect vulnerable temporary employees from exploitation. Essentially, this provision takes a strong stance on the promotion of ethical employment practices, by preventing the indefinite use of temporary labour without taking on the employment responsibilities. It also encourages clients to actively engage in labour relations on their job sites, contributing to a more equitable working environment. However, challenges with this provision remain. Complexity of interpretation, enforcement issues, and the need for ongoing education on its implications persist. Where businesses seek workforce agility that solves more problems than it creates, partnering with credible, compliant TES providers is the way to go. These professionals have the experience and expertise to understand, apply and manage the impact of the deeming provision on the three-way working relationship. The final word on the deeming provision For business leaders trying to iron out the complexities of temporary staffing and separate fact from fiction, it is important to remember the following truths about the deeming provision: - 'Deemed' does not amount to 'permanent.' The client and TES provider share responsibility. - Joint and several liability arises after three months. Businesses must be prepared to address labour relations matters. - Partnering with a compliant TES provider must be a priority. This ensures labour law compliance and mitigates risks, while unlocking the benefits of flexibility. - The provision protects vulnerable employees. Businesses must uphold fair treatment standards. - Differentiate between indefinite and permanent employment. Deemed indefinite employment does not confer permanent status. With a clear understanding of the LRA's deeming provision forming the foundation of a solid working partnership with a reputable TES provider, businesses can take full advantage of flexible staffing solutions, while participating in ethical employment practices and ensuring their labour law compliance. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
