FINANCIAL PACKAGES:MOST OF the ministers who have resigned in recent days will see their income drop sharply for the remainder of this Dáil but they will be better off again in retirement.
Micheál Martin, the only minister who has resigned but who is staying in politics, could end up as the worst off financially if he is re-elected as a TD and remains in opposition.
All six ministers are losing the substantial trappings of power, including a State car and Garda driver, and allocated staff.
Those who resigned will no longer be paid the ministerial salary of €181,000 and will revert to a TD’s salary for the remainder of this Dáil. Since all have substantial years of service, they will qualify for the highest level of TD salary, which is more than €98,000.
After the Dáil is dissolved and they are in retirement, most will be entitled to a pension of more than €120,000 a year. In addition, they will qualify for a severance package worth more than €300,000.
However, the perks of being a minister will be gone. The best-known is the State car, usually but not necessarily a Mercedes, and two gardaí operating on a rota to drive it. Ministers also have the use of the Government jet.
Typically, a minister may employ one or even two special advisers, who can be paid up to €109,000 a year, a personal assistant and a personal secretary. TDs qualify for a secretarial allowance worth about €41,000.
Ministers from outside Dublin can also avail of a dual-abode allowance where they own a second home in the capital, but there is no information on which politicians are in receipt of this.
Ministers are entitled to subsistence payments when on official business in Ireland and abroad. In Ireland, this includes the vouched cost of a hotel room and a subsistence allowance of €72.66 per night. For overseas trips, the subsistence allowance varies depending on the location.