Eyebrows raised at payouts

Every year the State pays €1.5bn in allowances to its staff on top of their basic pay, a practice that Brendan Howlin wants to end and unions are determined to protect, writes Stephen Rogers

Any [allowance] cut could be construed as a breach of the Croke Park Agreement — a deal which commits to no cuts in core pay

Six members of the Department of Foreign Affairs staff were paid almost €10,400 between them to operate a franking machine last year.