...that’s €11k extra for TDs – but ministers will likely forgo raise

OUR TDs are in line for an €11,000 pay rise over the next two-and-a-half years, as part of the pay deal agreed yesterday.

TDs currently earn a base salary of €108,987. With an average of a 10% pay increase, they will earn an additional €10,898, taking their final annual salary by 2026 to close to €120,000.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe confirmed TDs and senators would see the pay increase alongside other public sector workers. However, he said it was likely that ministers would forgo this additional payment.

Cabinet ministers and junior ministers are entitled to a larger pay packet than their colleagues in the Dáil. Mr Donohoe said: ‘It is a feature now of pay policy over a number of years that TDs have their salaries also anchored to the pay that is available as part of these deals.

‘It is a longstanding feature of Cabinets that I’ve been a member of that on average we hand back about 10% of our salary. I expect this general approach will continue. Cabinet still has to make a decision on that and I’m sure it will consider that matter soon.’

A spokesman for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform said: ‘As stated by Minister Donohoe, the approach going forward will be discussed by Cabinet in due course. As stated, it has been a longstanding feature of the Cabinet that 10% of salary is handed back. Mr Donohoe has said he expects that approach will continue.’

This means that Cabinet ministers and ministers of State will see their salaries remain at 2019 levels.

A spokesman for Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said: ‘We will be doing what we always do. Peadar will not give the money back to the Government, instead he will accept it and donate it to local charities in Meath.’

A spokesman for People Before Profit, said: ‘PBP TDs take the average wage and will not receive any increases personally. The increase will go to causes and campaigns they campaign on.’