REVEALED: How much Louth TDs and Senators claimed in allowances last year
Representatives are entitled to claim under the Parliamentary Standard Allowance (PSA) which is divided into two separate categories
Louth’s five TDs and two senators claimed a total of €302,639 in Parliamentary Standard Allowances last year, according to end of year statements for 2022 published recently by the Oireachtas.
Representatives are entitled to claim under the Parliamentary Standard Allowance (PSA) which is divided into two separate categories; a Travel and Accommodation Allowance (TAA) and a Public Representation Allowance (PRA).
TAA is paid to TDs and Senators only, while PRA is paid to TDs, Senators and Ministers. The PSA provides that at the end of each relevant period (normally, a calendar year) representatives certify the amount they spent.
The Travel and Accommodation Allowance (TAA) is based on the distance to Leinster House from the representative's normal place of residence.
In a non-election year, payment is verified by attendance in Leinster House for 120 days annually.
Representatives must repay 1% of the allowance for each day less than the required number. They can also voluntarily repay any amount of TAA.
Additionally, the Public Representation Allowance (PRA) covers expenses such as office and other associated costs.
Under the allowance Dundalk TDs Peter Fitzpatrick (IND) and Ruairí Ó Murchú (SF) each claimed €27,315 in TAA expenses and €20,350 in PRA expenses resulting in a total claim of €47,665 each.
Fine Gael TD for Louth Fergus O’Dowd claimed €25,295 in TAA and €20,350 in PRA, giving an overall total of €45,645.
Labour TD Ged Nash also claimed €25,295 in TAA and €19,747.01 in PRA, which included a repayment of just over €600, giving a total of €45,042.01 claimed.
Louth Sinn Fein TD Imelda Munster similarly claimed €25,295 in TAA and €19,897 in PRA, which included a repayment of €453, resulting in a total claim of €45,192.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael senator from Louth John McGahon claimed €22,815 in TAA and a further €12,225 in PRA for a total claim of €35,040.
Finally, Fianna Fail senator from Louth Erin McGreehan claimed €24,165 in TAA and €12,225 in PRA, giving her a total of €36,390 claimed.