Seven TDs and senators were found to have claimed more than €7,000 in expenses without providing sufficient evidence to show the costs were allowable, according to an audit.
A newly released report by the Houses of the Oireachtas into over €286,000 paid under the Public Representation Allowance (PRA) to a sample of politicians in 2023 identified €7,088 in claims that lacked adequate supporting documentation, reports Breaking News.
In comparison, the previous year’s audit uncovered €1,524 in ineligible expenses claimed by three members, marking the lowest level of disallowed claims in recent years.
The highest level recorded in recent times was in 2017, when almost €10,000 in claims by six TDs and senators were rejected, reports Breaking News.
The latest audit, carried out by independent auditors on behalf of the Oireachtas, confirmed that all of the money identified as ineligible has since been repaid to the State.
It also stated that €115,593 in claims made by the seven politicians were deemed valid and approved, reports Breaking News.
The review aimed to establish whether TDs and senators had provided proper documentation such as receipts, invoices and vouchers for expenses claimed under permitted categories.
Each year, a random sample of 10% of Oireachtas members — 22 TDs and senators — is selected for audit, reports Breaking News.
The largest disallowed claim was €3,060 by former Cavan-Monaghan TD Pauline Tully, who is now a Sinn Féin senator.
The second highest was €1,729 claimed by her party colleague and former Tipperary TD Martin Browne, reports Breaking News.
The third largest amount disallowed was €1,256 claimed by Fianna Fáil senator Fiona O’Loughlin.
Former Green Party TD Francis Noel Duffy was found to have incorrectly claimed €470, reports Breaking News.
This marked the second consecutive year he had expenses disallowed, following €135 deemed ineligible in the 2022 audit.
Other smaller amounts included €266 by former Green Party TD Patrick Costello, €168 by Minister of State Colm Brophy, and €140 by former Fine Gael minister Richard Bruton, reports Breaking News.
The report found that €5,793 in claims were disallowed because they did not fall within permitted expense categories.
A further €735 was deemed ineligible due to incorrect apportioning of shared costs such as utilities, advertising and newsletters involving multiple politicians, reports Breaking News.
An additional €560 was rejected due to insufficient supporting documentation.
The audit also found that 15 politicians were able to provide full documentation for €279,124 in expenses claimed, reports Breaking News.
These included ministers Jack Chambers and Dara Calleary, former minister Heather Humphreys, Government chief whip Mary Butler, Fianna Fáil TDs Willie O’Dea and John McGuinness, and Independent TD Michael Lowry.
The PRA covers costs such as office rent, utilities, furniture, equipment, signage, stationery, insurance and communication expenses.
It also includes items like web hosting, room hire for clinics, leaflet distribution, advertising related to public duties, as well as administrative, PR, IT and training services, reports Breaking News.
Despite clear guidelines, auditors noted recurring issues with ineligible advertising claims.
They highlighted that members often fail to correctly divide shared costs when newsletters or advertisements feature multiple public representatives, reports Breaking News.
Similar problems were identified with pro-rata calculations for annual costs like utilities, software licences, maintenance and insurance.
Auditors recommended ongoing reminders that all claims must be “wholly and exclusively incurred in the performance of the member’s duties” and backed by appropriate documentation, reports Breaking News.
They also suggested reviewing whether expenses related to AI tools and platforms should be considered eligible under the scheme, reports Breaking News.
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