I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.
Section 483 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, provides for a gift on an annual basis to be made to the Minister for Finance to be applied for any purpose for or towards the cost of which public moneys are provided. Gifts are accepted by the Minister for Finance and facilitated and managed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of public servants.
From the information available to my Department, there are two gifts in respect of salary currently in place for 2012 in respect of members of the Dáil and Seanad. One gift representing 50% of salary less pension contribution from a member of Dáil Éireann, and one gift representing full salary less pension contribution from a member of Seanad Éireann. Additionally two members of Dáil Éireann who attract allowances under S.I. No. 530 of 2011 — Oireachtas (Allowances) (Chairpersons of Oireachtas Committee) Order 2011 have made gifts of €8930 and €8160 respectively for 2012. I do not propose to name any individual who has chosen to make a gift under Section 483.
My Department is not aware that any Member of the current Dáil and Seanad has made arrangements to date to forgo their entitlements in respect of their current service in the Oireachtas under the relevant superannuation or severance schemes available to Members.