Revealed – Galway’s nine TDs earned €1.4m between them in a year

Date Published: 09-Jan-2013

Galway’s nine Dail Deputies shared a total of €1.39 million between them in the twelve months to October 2012 – with each TD receiving an average of €154,500 in wages and expenses.

The monthly payments, which include a total of €482,165 in expenses for the year, are detailed in official Oireachtas records just published.

The figures reveal that Galway East TD Michael Kitt (FF) was Galway’s highest paid politician in 2012, netting over €180,000 including expenses.

The former Minister of State claimed €56,666 in expenses from October 2011 to October 2012. On top of the standard TD’s salary of €92,672, Mr Kitt also received €37,370 for his role as Leas Ceann Comhairle of the Dail, bringing his final pre-tax tally for the twelve months to €184,700.

All deputies are entitled to travel expenses which vary depending on the distance of their constituency home to Leinster House.

As well as travel expenses, deputies and ministers are entitled to expenses to cover the costs of stationary, conference attendance, ‘improvements to office accommodation’ and other expenditure.

Galway’s highest expenses claimant was Connemara-based deputy Eamonn O Cuiv (FF), who claimed €60,550 over twelve months, or €5,045 per month.

Meanwhile, Galway’s lowest expenses claimant was Ciaran Cannon (FG), who claimed €20,000, or €1,666 per month. As a Minister, he is not entitled to claim the same overnight accommodation expenses as other TDs.

As Minister for State for Training and Skills, Mr Cannon also received the annual ministerial payment of €37,368, bringing his total payment for the twelve months to just over €150,000.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.