In 2023, the Kerry County Council made a payment of more than £250,000 to Healy-Rae Plant Hire, a company owned by TD Danny Healy-Rae that his sons, Johnny and Dan, manage. Johnny contributes as a county councillor for Kenmare. This information was revealed by the council following a query by Brendan Cronin, an autonomous councillor from Killarney.
During 2023, the council paid out close to £6.5 million to a combination of 52 rental car firms, haulage contractors, and plant hire companies. Some recipients of these payments included Clancy Plant Hire residing in Moyvane, Co Kerry (£668,114), Sandmore Ltd from Camp cross (£675,739), Mike Cronin and Sons based in Currow (£588,301), Nocholas Browne and Son from Ballinskelligs (£471,201), and Eamon and Seamus Hobbins Ltd (£430,718).
Additionally, the council provided nearly £392,000 to Newbridge Car & Van Rental Ltd (operating as Rentals) located in Newhall, Naas, Co Kildare, Healy-Rae Plant Hire Ltd in Kilgarvan, Co Kerry (£250,813), Dillons Waste Disposal in Tralee (£203,121) and £217,249 to Crean & McHugh (operating as CMP) in Glanmire, Co Cork. C Wharton Tool Hire Limited situated in Gortale, Tralee received a payment of £195,763.
The council, based in Killarney, revealed that the procurement of plant, machinery, and haulage services are through the Dynamic Purchasing System for Local Authorities. This system, favourable to smaller businesses, employs an open market tendering process.
Brendan Cronin, a councillor, clarified that the payments didn’t pose a problem, but crucially, the public needed to be informed about the figures.
Founded by the late Jackie Healy-Rae and his brother Dan in 1956, Healy-Rae Plant Hire, a third-generation family-run business, now provides employment to over 70 individuals. Cementing its expertise in civil engineering and haulage, the company also participates in tasks like road construction, site clearance, and pipe laying. According to Johnny Healy-Rae, a Kenmare councillor, some members of the staff have been with the company for over 30 years, an insight he shared with Building Ireland magazine.
Mr Healy-Rae mentioned that the primary field of expertise for the company is water and sewage processing, with Uisce Eireann being one of their significant clients. This organisation played a key role in building the experimental ten-acre wetland scheme located in Lixnaw, Co Kerry. It’s also worth mentioning that they work with various other clients including Uisce Eireann, Coillte, BAM Ireland and the county councils of Cork, Limerick, and Clare.