TDs’ expenses are higher than the dole

I COULD find no mention in the budget of the promised reform of TDs’ expenses.

Currently they receive a mix of untaxed, unvouched expenses and can also claim up to €41,092 a year under the special secretarial scheme by asking the supplier to send an invoice to the Dáil accounts office.

Under the “rules” they can claim just about anything under this scheme, including Christmas cards to constituents they have never met.