Four of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council's top-brass employees were paid more than £100,000 in 2022/23, it can be revealed.

New data from the Taxpayers' Alliance shows that the Chief Executive of the Council, Alison McCullough, received a payment package of £148,393 after pension allowances in 2022/23.

Ms. McCullough was paid £124,178 in salary, and £24,215 in pension contribution.

In comparison, in their roles, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly are paid £124,500 each, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had a salary entitlement of £164,951 in 2022-23.

Ms. McCullagh is one of four staff members being paid more than £100,000, according to the data.

Director of Regeneration and Planning, Kim McLaughlin, was paid a total of £110,640.

Ms. McLaughlin received a salary of £92,586, and was paid £ 18,054 in pension contributions for the year 2022-23.

Director of Community and Wellbeing, John Boyle, was paid a total of £108,778, comprising a salary of £91,028, and £17,750 in pension contributions for the year 2022-23.

Meanwhile, John News, Director of Environment and Place, was paid a total of £106,909, comprising a salary of £89,464, and £17,445 in pension contributions for the year 2022 -23.

John O’Connell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “The new financial year has seen council tax soar across the country, and taxpayers will notice that top-brass pay has simultaneously surged.

“Local authorities provide crucial services and residents will want to make sure they are getting bang for their buck with their ever-increasing bills.

“Residents can use these figures to ask whether precious funds are really going towards frontline services, or whether town hall bosses can get better value for money.”