Taxpayers to pay €56k bill for Dáil fitness instructor

The taxpayer is to foot the bill for a personal trainer for TDs and Senators.

A fitness instructor has been hired for the Leinster House gym at a cost of €56,000, according to the

Read More:

Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley has criticised the move, saying the salary should be funded from membership fees and not by taxpayers.

The House of the Oireachtas confirmed it has appointed an onsite fitness instructor to manage the funded gym at Government buildings.

The contract went to InSpire of Leopardstown Valley, Dublin 18, and the instructor will be paid €56,580 (including Vat) for the two-year contract.

The Leinster House gym boasts resistance-training machines, free weights and benches, rehabilitation machines, treadmills, crosstrainers, exercise bikes, and showers.

A spokesman said the contract, recently awarded following a full, open tender process, is valid to May 2017 with the possibility of two further extensions of up to 12 months each.