A recently-retired Clare TD collected over €50,000 in expenses last year, including more than €30,000 for travel and accommodation, despite being on sick leave for more than half the year.
Government records show former Clarecastle Fine Gael Deputy Joe Carey received his full allowance for expenses incurred while fulfilling parliamentary duties, known as the Parliamentary Standard Allowance, in a year when he was on a leave of absence for ill health reasons from March onwards.
Although paid in monthly instalments, the amount owed to TDs and senators each year under the Parliamentary Standard Allowance, which is made up of the Travel and Accommodation Allowance and the Public Representation Allowance, is decided before the beginning of the year period.
The Travel and Accommodation Allowance is based on attendance but attendance records may be reconciled under the grounds of ill health, attendance elsewhere in the performance of parliamentary duties, and extraordinary circumstances deemed good and sufficient.
Oireachtas regulations state this payment “covers the costs associated with travel to and from Leinster House, overnights and, for TDs only, other travel expenses including constituency travel”.
In the 2023 year period, Joe Carey received a total of €51,035 under the Parliamentary Standard Allowance, €30,695 of which was for travel and accommodation with the remaining €20,350 paid under the Public Representation Allowance.
Looking at Clare’s other TDs, Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe and Scariff Independent TD Michael McNamara each collected €50,700 in PSA across the year while Kilrush Independent Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne received €47,262.40.
Turning to the county’s senators, €39,090 a piece was paid to Inagh Green Party Senator Róisín Garvey and Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway while Tulla Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley was allocated €38,074.
As such, Joe Carey, who announced his resignation on August 26th having been on sick leave since March of 2023, received a greater amount under the Parliamentary Standard Allowance last year than any other Clare Oireachtas member.
Clare FM has contacted former Deputy Carey for comment.
