Written Answers Nos. 1-47
47. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 7 March 2023, the amount received in honoraria or expenses by chairs of all previous citizens assemblies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14047/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Convention on the Constitution and the Citizens’ Assemblies to date have been established by Resolutions of the Houses of the Oireachtas and operated independently of the Government. Arrangements for payments to Chairpersons of the various Assemblies have been determined by resolutions of the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Chairperson of each of these bodies has been entitled to claim travel expenses in line with public service rates and guidelines as set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
Recent resolutions of the Oireachtas establishing the Dublin Citizens’ Assembly; the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss; and the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use have standardised the approach to payments to Chairpersons, providing for a per-diem stipend payment at a rate to be sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. For each of these three Assemblies, the rate has been set at €650 per day, subject to tax deductions as appropriate. This standardises the payment arrangement for all future Assemblies, and brings them in line with payments to Chairpersons of similar other bodies.
Historically, the Chairperson of the Convention on the Constitution received a salary (as a serving public servant) and was paid travel expenses (amounting to €1,905 covering the period January to October 2013). Chairpersons of the Citizens’ Assembly held in 2016 to 2018 and the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality waived fees. The Chairperson of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality received a voucher for €500 in recognition of their time and civic commitment.
Under new arrangements in place since 2022, Chairpersons are entitled to a standard stipend payment. The Chairperson of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss received a payment of €16,250, and was also reimbursed €143.40 in vouched travel costs. Arrangements for the drawdown of stipend payments to the Chairperson of the Dublin Citizens’ Assembly and the Chairperson of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use have not yet been finalised.
