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'I am a middle income earner' - Perry

Following reports in the national media that Sligo/Leitrim Fine Gael TD, John Perry had claimed one of the highest expenses amounts in the Dail the Ballymote based Deputy has responded.

In a statement to SLIGO TODAY this morning, Mr. Perry said, "As a TD for Sligo and North Leitrim my net income after salary, allowances and all expenses are accounted for is €30,000 per year. I am a middle income earner.

"A recent national Sunday newspaper carried an analysis of Oireachtas member expenses. In my particular case, a simplistic presentation of the total expenses paid in a particular twelve month calendar period gave a very misleading picture. I wish to take this opportunity to explain to the
people of Sligo North Leitrim that my Dail salary, allowances and expenses are fully and clearly in accordance with standard arrangements as applied to each and every TD in Dail Eireann.

"In my particular case, the expenses figure for 2009 included an amount of €20,363.20 for the years 2007 and 2008. When this amount is excluded from the total, then my expenses of €71,825 for 2009 puts me into a lower ranking of Oireachtas members.

"For clarity and transparency, these are the details of my actual salary, allowances and expenses. This shows where the money comes from and where it actually went.

"As a TD I receive an annual salary of €98,424 per year. In addition I receive a standard Chair Allowance of €9,511 per year. After deductions for pension, pension levy, PAYE, PRSI, etc I actually receive €61,137 per year.

"I receive a telephone allowance of 6,800 Euro. My actual phone bill for land line and mobile phone charges is €10,781 per year.

"I receive an office allowance of €8,000 per year. I maintain two constituency offices, one in Sligo and one in Ballymote. The cost of office rent, services, insurances, office equipment maintenance, and electricity charges is €23,718 per year.

"I receive a miscellaneous expense allowance of €5,000 per year. In the past year I actually spent over €10,000 on personal sponsorship, and other direct costs associated with worthy charitable and sporting events and voluntary community development activities and events.

"I receive a constituency travel allowance of €8,000 Euro per year plus kilometre rate for official travel. Dáil Deputies are granted the same travel rates as the 1501cc band in the civil service. The travel rate
includes overhead costs of purchasing/replacing a new car, insurance, car tax, etc. The rate also includes running costs such as petrol, maintenance/repairs/servicing, oil and tyres. These rates are accepted as cost neutral by Revenue. In the past year I clocked up over 50,000 km and
spent over €24,000 on car expenses.

"As Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on EU Scrutiny, it is a requirement that I travel to other Parliaments to attend joint meetings of EU Scrutiny Committees. The expense associated with this foreign travel is approximately €3,000. These expenses are all paid on foot of vouched out of pocket expenses.

"The balance of my expenses is made up of overnight and subsistence payments for overnights on Dail business to cover the accommodation and other additional living expenses incurred by virtue of being away from home.

"As a public representative I am well aware that every citizen must tighten their belt. In recent months TDs expenses have been cut, mileage rates reduced. There has been a very real reduction in TDs salary and allowances.

"Any serious debate about Oireachtas allowances and expenses should consider the fact that politicians work long hours. In my particular case it is widely acknowledged that I work harder than any other TD on behalf of my constituents. I work seven days a week, up to 80 to 90 hours per week.

"My phone is never off the hook. I make myself available to meet with every constituent. I travel the constituency constantly. I attend as many community events, and meetings and clinics as possible. In addition I have, for many years, delegated my business interests to a business manager, so I can devote 100% of my time to my role of public representative.

"Expenses are used to defray the costs of constituency work. As can be clearly seen from the above data, the level of support I receive towards the substantial costs involved in administering constituency duties, offices and services effectively does not cover the full cost of doing the job properly.

"These are the simple facts of the situation. As a straight talking politician, I accept that the people of Sligo North Leitrim are entitled to accountability and transparency on the salaries and expenses paid to politicians. Equally people must accept that the facts of the situation speak for themselves. There is no mystique about my expenses. There is no hidden profit margin. In my case, Dail expenses do not fully cover the costs of all my constituency work. There was no gravy train in the past and
there is no gravy train now.

"I would like to thank the people of Sligo North Leitrim for your past support. I very much hope that with this full and transparent account of my Dail allowances and expenses, you will continue with your support for the future." Deputy Perry concluded.