The latest expenses figures for members for the Oireachtas cover the six months from April 21st, 1999, to October 20th, 1999. The information does not include the expenses of Government Ministers and Ministers of State, or the additional allowances which the chairs of Oireachtas committees are entitled to claim.
The figures reflect the allowances and grants available to Oireachtas members in their roles as TDs and senators. Oireachtas members can claim expenses under several categories. These include travel and subsistence; an annual £4,000 telephone allowance; a £5,444 once-off constituency maintenance grant; and foreign travel.
TDs and senators are entitled to certain travel and overnight expenses within the State. Members who live within 15 miles of Leinster House receive a daily allowance of £45. Those who live more than 15 miles away are entitled to an overnight allowance of £96.60, along with mileage expenses.
The mileage allowances are divided into six categories, starting at a rate of £0.682p per mile for the first 2,000 miles. This rate falls to £0.2627p per mile for mileage above 12,001 miles per year.
Those TDs who are not ministers are entitled to claim an annual constituency allowance of £2,000, £4,000 or £6,400, depending on the location and size of the constituency.
There is also a £4,000 miscellaneous expense allowance, which is paid annually to cover the cost of renting accommodation for and advertising constituency clinics.
A constituency telephone allowance up to a maximum of £4,000 is paid to all TDs and senators. The chairs of Oireachtas committees and party whips receive an additional £1,000. Members can also send telemessages from Leinster House up to a maximum annual limit of £750.
Those TDs and senators who do not have a official secretary in Leinster House receive a once-off office set-up grant of £5,444. They also can claim an annual office maintenance grant of £5,000. All TDs are entitled to an annual special secretarial allowance of £5,000. The lack of a formal time-limit for the submission of expense claims means the latest figures do not show the actual amount a TD or senator was entitled to; rather the amount which was paid to them from April 21st to October 20th, 1999.
These amounts paid to Oireachtas members include expense arrears for previous periods. Some members may not yet have submitted claims for the money they are owed. As such, the total figures for these TDs and senators may be understated.
Also, the latest expenses information does not include travel undertaken by Oireachtas members who are involved in the British-Irish Inter-parliamentary Body of the Irish Parliamentary Association.