TD salary to increase to €100,000 a year

26/10/2005 - 08:15:42
New statistics reported this morning have revealed that the average pay for TDs is set to rise to €100,000 next year.

According to the figures reported in The Irish Independent, this is a €5,000 increase on the current salary of €95,000.

Dáil deputies will be able to access a further €67,000 in expenses and allowances in 2006.

The newspaper also reported that senators' pay will increase from €65,800 to just over €68,000.

On top of his basic salary of €100,000, the Taoiseach will get a further €150,000 while the Tánaiste will receive an extra €118,000.

This brings the total pay bill for senators, TDs and MEPs to €22,500,000, while the running of the houses of the Oireachtas will cost taxpayers more than €100,000,000 next year.