Written answers

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Oireachtas Members' Remuneration

Photo of John Paul PhelanJohn Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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219. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form for each of the years 2007 to 2013, inclusive, the gross annual salary of a Member of Dáil Éireann; the gross annual salary of a Member of Seanad Éireann; the total amount paid to all Members of Dáil Éireann in expenses and allowances; the total amount paid to Members of Seanad Éireann in expenses and allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52780/13]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Significant reductions have been made to the pay and allowances of public servants, including TDs and Senators, through a series of measures since 2009. The gross annual salaries of TDs and Senators, from 2007 to 2013 are set out in the following table. The cumulative effect of these reductions is that a TD today is paid 13% less than they would have been in 2008, and a Senator is paid 7% less.

Long service increments were abolished with effect from the formation of the current Dáil in March 2011 for all Members. The percentage reductions in gross pay for members who had been in receipt of these increments amount to 18% for TDs and 13% for Senators. All of these reductions are exclusive of the Pension Related Deduction, which also applies to all members of the Oireachtas, and reduces their income by a further 8% in the case of TDs and 7% for Senators.

Gross salaries of TDs and Senators, 2007 - 2013

Post1.06.07 Towards 2016 Phase 21.03.08 Towards 2016 Phase 31.09.08 Towards 2016 Final Phase 1.01.10 Pay Adjustment (FEMPI No. 2 Act 2009)1.01.11 Pay Adjustment (FEMPI Act 2010)10.03.11 31st Dáil1.07.2013 FEMPI Changes
TD - basic€95,363€97,747€100,191€92,672€92,672€92,672€87,258
- 1st LSI€98,407€100,867€103,389€95,550€95,550--
- 2nd LSI€101,446€103,982€106,582€98,424€98,424--
Senator - basic€66,754€68,423€70,134€65,621€65,621€65,621€65,000
- 1st LSI€68,884€70,606€72,371€67,634€67,634--
- 2nd LSI€71,013€72,788€74,608€69,647€69,647--

The system of allowances in the nature of pay paid to members of the Oireachtas was substantially overhauled by this Government in 2011 upon taking office. The estimated current cost of these allowances is now less than €300,000, a reduction of nearly 80% from 2008 levels. The new Oireachtas expense allowance system has been substantially overhauled since 2010, most recently on 1 January 2012, when I reduced the travel and accommodation allowance by an average of 10% with a higher cut of 25% for Dublin Members. The expenses paid under the Public Representational Allowance are also now vouched.

The total amount of allowances and expenses paid to TDs and Senators by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission for each of the years 2007-2013 inclusive will be provided directly to the Deputy by the Commission. In relation to other funding, the Party Leader’s Allowance is paid to leaders of qualifying parties and to members elected as independent TDs or Senators. I have recently brought forward legislation to reduce the amount of this allowance by 10%, and to provide for improved transparency measures.

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