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15/10/2009
MLAs Office Claims Hit Six Figure Sum
Members of the Stormont Assembly have claimed hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers money since 2004, a BBC Northern Ireland investigation has revealed.
Sinn Féin is reported to have claimed the most money in expenses, almost £2m.
The Ulster Unionists were next in line receiving nearly £380,000 while SDLP MLAs took over £250,000 and the DUP claimed £56,000.
Office costs made up the majority of claims, and Sinn Féin were at the top of the ladder claiming the most in secretarial and research services.
A large proportion of office expenses goes on rent and office assistants. The UUP claimed £146,000 on rent according to the BBC.
DUP MLA Diane Dodds claimed £5,000 for secretarial services, compared to SDLP Alex Attwood only claiming £2,400.
Sinn Féin told the BBC that "the cost of the secretarial service is determined by the level of service provided".
MLAs are currently allowed to claim a maximum amount of £72,660 a year.
The standard salary for MLAs is £43,101 each, but extra payments go to Ministers and office holders such as committee chairs.
Expense claims cover a wide range of other areas including: televisions for offices, newspapers, water coolers, vacuum cleaners, stationery and kettles.
Expenses claimed by Westminster MPs are also being re-examined this week, with the latest news being that an MP has paid thousands of pounds in taxpayers money into a company he actually owns.
See: Taxpayer 'Funds' MP's Own Firm
(CD/BMcC)
Sinn Féin is reported to have claimed the most money in expenses, almost £2m.
The Ulster Unionists were next in line receiving nearly £380,000 while SDLP MLAs took over £250,000 and the DUP claimed £56,000.
Office costs made up the majority of claims, and Sinn Féin were at the top of the ladder claiming the most in secretarial and research services.
A large proportion of office expenses goes on rent and office assistants. The UUP claimed £146,000 on rent according to the BBC.
DUP MLA Diane Dodds claimed £5,000 for secretarial services, compared to SDLP Alex Attwood only claiming £2,400.
Sinn Féin told the BBC that "the cost of the secretarial service is determined by the level of service provided".
MLAs are currently allowed to claim a maximum amount of £72,660 a year.
The standard salary for MLAs is £43,101 each, but extra payments go to Ministers and office holders such as committee chairs.
Expense claims cover a wide range of other areas including: televisions for offices, newspapers, water coolers, vacuum cleaners, stationery and kettles.
Expenses claimed by Westminster MPs are also being re-examined this week, with the latest news being that an MP has paid thousands of pounds in taxpayers money into a company he actually owns.
See: Taxpayer 'Funds' MP's Own Firm
(CD/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
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05 July 2012
MLAs' Expenses Claims Published
A Northern Ireland MLA who claimed at least £8,000 more than any other assembly member last year has defended his actions. Pat Ramsey of the SDLP claimed expenses of £92,718 between April 2011 and March 2012.
MLAs' Expenses Claims Published
A Northern Ireland MLA who claimed at least £8,000 more than any other assembly member last year has defended his actions. Pat Ramsey of the SDLP claimed expenses of £92,718 between April 2011 and March 2012.
13 May 2009
Lady Sylvia Repays Westminster Expenses
North Down MP, Lady Sylvia Hermon has revealed she has paid back more than £2,700 in Parliamentary expenses. She said that she 'over-claimed' for rent on a London flat between 2005 and 2006. The Ulster Unionist MP said she only discovered the error when she contacted the Fees Office on Monday.
Lady Sylvia Repays Westminster Expenses
North Down MP, Lady Sylvia Hermon has revealed she has paid back more than £2,700 in Parliamentary expenses. She said that she 'over-claimed' for rent on a London flat between 2005 and 2006. The Ulster Unionist MP said she only discovered the error when she contacted the Fees Office on Monday.
23 October 2009
Further Stormont Expenses Revealed
Many of Northern Ireland MLAs still claimed office expenses during the suspension of devolution, it has been revealed. Details of claims made by Assembly members between 2003 and 2008 have been published for the first time, and show most continued to receive the maximum £48,000 for office costs.
Further Stormont Expenses Revealed
Many of Northern Ireland MLAs still claimed office expenses during the suspension of devolution, it has been revealed. Details of claims made by Assembly members between 2003 and 2008 have been published for the first time, and show most continued to receive the maximum £48,000 for office costs.
25 February 2002
Assembly Members' expenses run to £4m a year
Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly claimed nearly £4 million in office and travel expenses in the financial year ending in April 2000. Details of expenses among the province's 108 assembly members (MLAs) for the year 1999/2000 have been published on the assembly's website.
Assembly Members' expenses run to £4m a year
Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly claimed nearly £4 million in office and travel expenses in the financial year ending in April 2000. Details of expenses among the province's 108 assembly members (MLAs) for the year 1999/2000 have been published on the assembly's website.
07 September 2004
McGuinness accuses Murphy of sanctioning bugging equipment
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has accused Secretary of State Paul Murphy of authorising the "bugging" of a party official in West Belfast which was uncovered on Monday.
McGuinness accuses Murphy of sanctioning bugging equipment
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has accused Secretary of State Paul Murphy of authorising the "bugging" of a party official in West Belfast which was uncovered on Monday.
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