€10m expenses bill for TDs and senators to rise

THE €10 million annual bill for TDs’ and senators’ expenses is likely to increase from this month, with the introduction of a rise in mileage rates for those travelling from outside Dublin.

Oireachtas members will not be entitled to an increase in their meal and overnight allowances, which were granted to all other public servants from last Tuesday.

A circular informing workers of the expenses increase was posted on the Department of Finance website just a day before the Government announced that public spending cuts of €500 million would be imposed in the second half of this year.