Dail EireannDESPITE creating a false impression that cuts are being made across the board in the Oireachtas, the annual salary for a TD still stands at a whopping €90,000 per annum. . .before expenses.

TDs can choose an unvouched system of expenses and get an additional €15,000 a year or a fully vouched system which has a limit of €25,700. Ministers can get €12,000 unvouched and €20,000 if they produce receipts.

In respect of the vouched allowance, expenses are paid where evidence in the form of vouchers or receipts is available to show such expenditure was incurred.

The unvouched allowance is designed to cover a following wide range of expenses, whether they are actually incurred or not. It is known as the Public Representation Allowance (PRA).

1. Rent, rates and other such charges in relation to an office or offices,

2. Utilities of an office or offices (e.g. electricity and gas bills),

3. Improvements to office accommodation,

4. Signage in respect of the constituency office,

5. Purchase or maintenance of office furniture or equipment,

6. Purchase of stationery,

7. Insurance including for office accommodation or equipment and public liability insurance,

8. Cleaning of office accommodation,

9. Telephone calls, otherwise than from Leinster House, including line rental and mobile phone calls, relating to the performance of his/her duties as a Member,

10. Web hosting and other related computer costs,

11. Hiring rooms for clinics or other meetings relating to the performance of his or her duties as a member of the Oireachtas,

12. Leaflet and newsletter distribution,

13. Advertising relating to the performance of his or her duties as a member,

14. Attendance at conferences relating to the performance of his or her duties as a Member (except expenses relating to travel).’

The new system also splits TDs' expenses payments into a second element, the Travel and Accommodation Allowance (TAA).

To claim the TAA, TDs must verify their attendance at Leinster House by either electronically fobbing in with a tag at a number of points or by signing an attendance book.

Both methods are recorded, and attendance sheets are uploaded on the Oireachtas website each month. The TAA covers the costs of travel to and from Leinster House, accommodation where applicable, and constituency travel.

No receipts are needed to claim the TAA but TDs have to attend at least 120 days annually. For every day below 120, they have to refund 1pc of their annual total allowance. The attendance days do not have to be sitting days. Each member is paid an allowance based on the distance from their declared normal place of residence to the Dáil. The Dublin band is for TDs who live 25km or less from Leinster House and is worth €12,000 a year.