Political parties got €12.9m in State funding last year

Political parties received a total of €12.9 million in state funding last year according to figures released by the Standards Commission.

The money was paid to the parties under two schemes, one covered by the Electoral Acts and the other by the long standing party leaders allowance.

Fine Gael received the biggest total payment of €4.9 million under the two schemes.

The Labour Party got €3 million, Fianna Fail €2.8 million, Sinn Fein €1.8 million, People Before Profit €143,000 and the Socialist Party €74,000.

Non Party members of the Oireachtas received a total of €878,389 between them.

The funding is not subject to income tax and may not be used for electoral or referendum purposes.

Qualified political parties must furnish to the Standards Commission Statements of Expenditure of the funding received.