Wicklow TDS claimed €200k since election
WICKLOW TDS have claimed almost €200,000 in expenses since their election in February of last year.
Figures published in recent days have outlined the final monthly claims made by Dáil deputies as part of the Parliamentary Standard Allowance, which is split into two sections comprising Travel and Accommodation Allowance and Public Representation Allowance.
Independent Stephen Donnelly and Fine Gael's Andrew Doyle submitted the highest claims of the five Co. Wicklow TDS at €45,478 each, while Deputy Billy Timmins of Fine Gael claimed €38,331.
Labour TD Anne Ferris and Fine Gael's Simon Harris both claimed €31,865.
Deputy Timmins was the only one of the five to opt for the unvouched expenses system within the Public Representation Allowance.
Under this system TDS can claim a minimum certified amount of €15,000 while a maximum amount of vouched expenses €25,700 can be claimed, but are subject to audit.
Under the vouched system any monies which are not spent must be refunded.
Deputy Timmins said that he opted for the unvouched system as 'it is easier to administer'.
'It is an option and it must be noted that where maximum vouched expenses are not spent it is not the case that they have been overpaid,' he said.
Speaking to this newspaper Deputy Ferris outlined that she was towards the lower end of the scale in Co. Wicklow as her constituency office is situated closer to Dublin.
'I chose the vouched system as I did the sums before hand and my rent alone for my office in Bray was more than €15,000. In fact I exceeded the maximum allowance and subsidised them out of my own pocket. The expenses claimed cover the running of the office including rent, heat, phones, advertising and leaflet distribution etc. If I only had an office in the Dáil there would be a total disconnect from constituents. The Bray office is always very busy and it does cost money to run,' she said.
Deputy Ferris said that she did not entirely agree with the unvouched system and that it 'could do with some review'.
Deputy Harris echoed this sentiment.
'I believe that there should be no option for unvouched expenses. I have made every effort to keep my own costs as low as possible – I underspent my allocated allowances by €1,522.78 and will be giving this money back to the Oireachtas. Additionally, I have opted for the lowest band of expenses despite being eligible for a significantly higher rate. Every element of public expenditure needs to be examined in the current climate,' he said.
Commenting on his vouched expenses Deputy Andrew Doyle said that the system does need reform and suggested that expenses should be paid directly to service providers.
'Personally I think the system does need reform. I recently refunded more than €4,300. I think a better system would see the money paid directly to the service providers through the Dáil rather than expenses,' he said.
- DEBORAH COLEMAN
