DUP pair top of the MLAs' rental league
THE official list of Assembly members' expenditure on rent reveals the Paisleys are claiming a massive £62,500 per year between them for one joint constituency office.
The property at 911 Church Street, Ballymena, has been used by father and son since last July.
The Assembly figures, for the financial year 200708, are based on the monthly rent multiplied by 12 to get a per annum sum.
They have not actually claimed 62,500 yet but are on course to do so for the full year.
The cost of the office paid for out of the public purse far outstrips any of the other 106 MLAs.
Ian Paisley Jnr claims 31,250 a year for Ballymena and an additional 2,100 for a Bushmills office, making his individual claim 33,350.
Ian Paisley Sr claims 31,250 a year.
The next highest claimant is DUP colleague Nigel Dodds, spending 20,000 on two offices in his north Belfast constituency.
He is followed up by Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Fein with a claim of 18,000 for her MidUlster office.
Stormont sources expressed surprise at the enormous difference in rent expenditure between the Paisleys and any other MLA.
''It is such a large amount in comparison to everyone else that it at the very least it raises questions about value for money to the public purse,'' said one.
Mr Paisley Jnr, however, explained that the building is large, a central hub for the two men, is a listed property, and has community facilities.
He said: ''Last July we moved to a listed building on Church Street which is central and more suited to our constituents' requirements. The building includes an upstairs community facility which can hold about 150 people.
''All office expenditure was validated by the Assembly and all the necessary procedures have been followed. The rent and rates expenditure is reviewed annually by the Assembly and approved.'' The rent and rates list has been compiled by the Assembly and is expected to be published shortly. It was distributed to MLAs yesterday.
Normally, the figures are not issued to the public but after a Freedom of Information request from Ballymena unionist Lyle Cubitt, a decision to go public was taken.
MLAs are entitled to a maximum allowance of 70,000 a year (additional to their basic salary) to cover rent, staff costs and other expenses in running their personal constituency and Assembly operation.
They can claim what they need by invoicing the Assembly, which will pay their staff or landlords for them directly.
Documentary evidence is required, including any contracts showing actual values.
Others at the top end of the rent claims are: Michelle Gildernew (Sinn Fein, Fermanagh South Tyrone) 15,600; Mitchel McLaughlin 15,600 (SF, South Antrim); Dominic Bradley (SDLP, Newry and Armagh) 14,000; Trevor Clarke (DUP, South Antrim) 14,000; David McClarty (UUP, East Londonderry) 13,000; Fra McCann (SF, West Belfast) 13,000; Nelson McCausland (DUP, North Belfast) 12,000.
The lowest rental claims were lodged by Tommy Gallagher (SDLP, Fermanagh South Tyrone) 3,120; David Ford (Alliance, East Antrim) 3,000; Ken Robinson (East Antrim, UUP) 3,120; Patsy McGlone (SDLP, Mid Ulster) 3,120; Daithi McKay (SF, North Antrim) 3,640; Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry) 3,703; George Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry) 3,704.
Claiming only rates expenses and no rental were Peter Robinson (DUP, East Belfast); Iris Robinson (DUP, Strangford); and David Simpson (DUP, Upper Bann).
MLAs neither claiming rent or rates included Mickey Brady (SF, Newry and Armagh); Wallace Browne (DUP, East Belfast); Conor Murphy (SF, Newry and Armagh); and William McCrea (DUP, South Antrim).
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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