Menu
19/08/2008
TDs Paying Family Members Tax Payers Money
New figures reveal that a fifth of TDs and senators are employing a relative at the taxpayers' expense.
According to reports on Tuesday, a total of 42 members of the Oireachtas' have family members employed in secretarial and parliamentary assistant jobs.
The posts, which pay up to €45,000, are not publicly advertised. Every TD is entitled to employ one secretarial assistant and one parliamentary assistant to aid writing speeches and letters.
According to the report in the Irish Independent, family members account for 8% of the 530 secretarial and parliamentary assistants employed by Ireland's incumbent politicians. Last year, the houses spent €20.9m paying the total wage bill and another €2.5m in 'overtime and extra attendance' payments – with the largest individual amount reaching €16,650.
The information was released under the Freedom of Information Act, although the commission blocked the identification of individuals' salaries.
In Northern Ireland, local MPs look likely to join their mainland colleagues and also be banned from employing their children at taxpayers' expense.
New proposals outlined recently by Harriet Harman, the Leader of the House of Commons, are a bid to address public concerns raised about the abuse of research jobs and expenses.
See: MPs Children May Be Banned From Office
(DW)
According to reports on Tuesday, a total of 42 members of the Oireachtas' have family members employed in secretarial and parliamentary assistant jobs.
The posts, which pay up to €45,000, are not publicly advertised. Every TD is entitled to employ one secretarial assistant and one parliamentary assistant to aid writing speeches and letters.
According to the report in the Irish Independent, family members account for 8% of the 530 secretarial and parliamentary assistants employed by Ireland's incumbent politicians. Last year, the houses spent €20.9m paying the total wage bill and another €2.5m in 'overtime and extra attendance' payments – with the largest individual amount reaching €16,650.
The information was released under the Freedom of Information Act, although the commission blocked the identification of individuals' salaries.
In Northern Ireland, local MPs look likely to join their mainland colleagues and also be banned from employing their children at taxpayers' expense.
New proposals outlined recently by Harriet Harman, the Leader of the House of Commons, are a bid to address public concerns raised about the abuse of research jobs and expenses.
See: MPs Children May Be Banned From Office
(DW)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 May 2013
Waterford Citi Bank To Close
The Citi Bank office in Waterford is to close with the lose of 50 jobs, RTÉ have reported. The office on the IDA industrial estate deals with the bank’s hedge fund services, and it is thought that half of the staff will be offered redeployment to its Dublin office.
Waterford Citi Bank To Close
The Citi Bank office in Waterford is to close with the lose of 50 jobs, RTÉ have reported. The office on the IDA industrial estate deals with the bank’s hedge fund services, and it is thought that half of the staff will be offered redeployment to its Dublin office.
22 June 2018
Govt To Conduct Review On Role Of Local Authority Members
The government has commissioned Ms Sara Moorhead SC to carry out a review on the role of elected members of local authorities. Along with the roles, the review will also consider the remuneration and other supports provided to assist councillors in carrying out their duties.
Govt To Conduct Review On Role Of Local Authority Members
The government has commissioned Ms Sara Moorhead SC to carry out a review on the role of elected members of local authorities. Along with the roles, the review will also consider the remuneration and other supports provided to assist councillors in carrying out their duties.
16 July 2014
4 Out Of 5 Cases Of Blindness 'Preventable' – FG
Fine Gael are today launching a Private Members Motion that calls for the establishment of a national vision strategy. Brought forward by Clare Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Disability and Equality, Martin Conway, it is said that four out of five cases of blindness are preventable.
4 Out Of 5 Cases Of Blindness 'Preventable' – FG
Fine Gael are today launching a Private Members Motion that calls for the establishment of a national vision strategy. Brought forward by Clare Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Disability and Equality, Martin Conway, it is said that four out of five cases of blindness are preventable.
21 November 2013
Independent TD Moves On Termination Of Pregnancy Legislation
A motion to introduce a bill allowing the termination of pregnancy when the foetus is diagnosed "incompatible with life", has been brought forward by Independent TD Clare Daly.
Independent TD Moves On Termination Of Pregnancy Legislation
A motion to introduce a bill allowing the termination of pregnancy when the foetus is diagnosed "incompatible with life", has been brought forward by Independent TD Clare Daly.
17 May 2012
Hannigan Introduces Private Members Bill
Meath TD Dominic Hannigan is introducing a bill to speed up the process of council's taking over estates abandoned by bankrupt builders. The Labour Deputy is introducing a Private Members Bill in the Dáil today aimed at reducing the time it takes to get an unfinished estate taken in charge by local authorities, down from seven to three years.
Hannigan Introduces Private Members Bill
Meath TD Dominic Hannigan is introducing a bill to speed up the process of council's taking over estates abandoned by bankrupt builders. The Labour Deputy is introducing a Private Members Bill in the Dáil today aimed at reducing the time it takes to get an unfinished estate taken in charge by local authorities, down from seven to three years.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
