Politicians get increase in travel expenses

EXPENSES paid to politicians and public servants for travelling abroad will increase from Monday by up to 30% for some cities.

However, Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan has warned TDs, Senators and civil servants that only essential travel should be undertaken and that the number of delegates on each foreign trip should be kept to an absolute minimum.

The expenses paid to public servants and members of the Oireachtas are un-vouched for and are tax-free, in contrast to expenses paid to workers in the private sector.

The allowance for travelling to London has increased from €152 to €198 for which TDs, senators and civil servants do not have to produce any receipts.

Those travelling to Brussels can claim the expense of their hotel room, with no cost limits specified, plus €116.50 per working day.

This is an increase from the previous rate of €105.50.

Italy is one of the most lucrative for allowances with €291 for accommodation, plus €145 per day for those attending conferences in cities including Bologna, Florence, Milan and Venice.

The capital city, Rome and main port city, Naples, have lower expenses rates of €227 for accommodation plus an allowance of €113.50 per day in un-vouched for expenses.

Politicians going to Paris get €292 per night plus €146 for each day away.

Those travelling to the United States get their hotel room paid for, with no specified limit on the cost of the room, plus un-vouched for rates ranging from between €81 to €136 depending on the state.

These expenses do not include the costs incurred by air travel.

A circular advising public servants of the increases was posted on the Department of Finance website yesterday, signed by principal officer, David Hurley, under the direction of the Minister.

“Expenditure on travel and subsistence must continue to be strictly appraised and monitored,” it read.

“Officers who travel abroad should limit reimbursable expenditure to the minimum consistent with the requirements of the visit.

“Heads of Departments should continue to ensure that only essential travel is undertaken and that the number of officers on any official journey is kept to the absolute minimum,” the circular warned.

TDs and senators claimed almost €6 million in expenses in the first six months of this year. More than half of all TDs in the Dáil claimed expenses from January to May of sums greater than the average annual industrial wage.

Last month expenses rates increased for travel within Ireland to €146 per overnight trip for civil servants.

The overnight rate for Oireachtas members within Ireland has remained the same for the past five years.

Mileage rates for politicians increased last month to €1.26 per mile.