Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 July 2012
195 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of Members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann who are in receipt of their full salary entitlements, that is the number of members of both Houses who take their full allowance of salary paid and provided for by virtue of their office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34518/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra196 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the arrangements made with his Department by those Members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann who have indicated that they take a salary equivalent to the average industrial wage or some other reduced sum; if he will confirm that each Member concerned has entered into arrangements to surrender to the Exchequer that portion of their salary and furthermore if they have entered into separate agreements to surrender that proportion of their superannuation or other future payments pro rata; if he will indicate the names of those Members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34519/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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.
