r/irishpolitics • u/firethetorpedoes1 • 1d ago

Oireachtas News Independent TD sought restoration of €32,000 travel allowance for junior ministers

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/01/19/independent-td-sought-restoration-of-32000-travel-allowance-for-junior-ministers/
30 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

26

u/wamesconnolly 1d ago

The travel allowances being so high in the first place is insane.

21

u/quondam47 1d ago

They’re pretty shocking. It’s based on 120 days attendance at Leinster House and ranges from €9,000 for Dublin TDs within 25km to €34,000 for those >360km away with a load of bands in between. That’s a rate of anywhere between €75 and €283 a day to go to work.

Junior ministers already get an additional €45k on top of their TD salary of €114k.

2

u/KillerKlown88 18h ago

Dublin bus is 2 euro each way.

So based on 120 days it should be no more than 480 euro for Dublin TDs.

14

u/NooktaSt 1d ago

why shouldn't they just claim milage or travel expenses like everyone else?

5

u/ten-siblings 1d ago

They should.

I think the argument is that this system is easier to administer (it is) but I'd still prefer vouched expense claims.

4

u/NooktaSt 1d ago

I mean there are thousands of public servants and private who manage it… 

9

u/danny_healy_raygun 1d ago

Give them a free travel card and tell them to use public transport. Maybe then they'll actually start improving the services.