A third of TDs earn incomes from 2 jobs

A THIRD of the country’s TDs are double-jobbing, earning incomes from occupations other than their salaries as public representatives.

Some 53 of the 166 members of the Dáil declare other incomes from jobs such as farming, teaching or running legal or medical practices.

These earnings do not include the money they make from stocks, shares and property rented out.

The figures are contained in the declaration of interests for 2007, which outline what TDs make on top of their salaries, which range from €95,363 to €271,822, and their expenses entitlements of €65,000 a year.

A total of 13 TDs are still employed as teachers, but are on leave from their positions since taking up their Dáil seats.

Teachers still receive salaries, but must pay for substitute or temporary teachers taking their place in schools.

They are allowed to pocket the remaining wages. This means they are free to collect their teaching salary in the months when a replacement is not needed.

The Department of Education explained: “A special arrangement regarding the retention of their teaching posts operates for teachers who are members of the Oireachtas.

The statement added: “Teaching salary is paid to the Oireachtas member for the duration of the arrangement but the total cost of the replacement teacher, including pension and PRSI contributions, is deducted from the salary. The arrangement allows that the balance of salary, if any remaining after the deductions have been made, may be paid to the Oireachtas member.”

Five of the 13 Oireachtas members who are teachers do not accept the salary balance pay-outs, including Ministers Micheál Martin, Mary Hanafin, Frank Fahey and Michael Kitt.

Dozens of TDs have declared no occupational income aside from their political salaries but are however qualified professionals, including ministers Brian Lenihan and Willie O’Dea, both of whom are solicitors.

Yesterday, the Irish Examiner reported that a quarter of TDs are landlords, making money from renting out properties here and abroad.

Some TDs have declared two incomes in addition to their Dáil salaries, including Mayo’s John Moloney (FF), who is a funeral director and publican, and Ciaran Cuffe (Green Party), a lecturer and architect.