McAleese to cut spending allowances by €40,000

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese has announced that she is cutting her expenditure allowances by €40,000 (12.5%) due to the growing strain on the Government’s financial resources.

Mrs McAleese, who has already taken a 10% pay cut in her €325,508 salary, said she had made the further gesture to reduce the cost of the office of the presidency in light of the continuing economic downturn.

Some €317,435 a year is set aside for the President to fund receptions at the Áras, including dinners, lunches, visits by dignitaries and diplomats and special recognition days such as the Twelfth of July garden party.