Politicians to cash in on expenses overhaul

A PROPOSAL to scrap the current €14 million expenses regime for TDs and senators in favour of a new vouched-only system will result in far higher expense claims, it emerged yesterday.

At present Oireachtas members claim for expenses under a complicated system based on permissible allowances which does not always require receipts to be submitted.

Under that system, TDs and senators last year claimed a total of €8,512,000 in non-travel-related allowances and expenses. Domestic and foreign travel added another €5,573,000 to the bill.