Over €100,000 in expenses claimed by Department ministers and officials in two-year period

Ministers and senior officials in the Department of Health claimed more than €100,000 in combined expenses in 2022 and 2023, according to data obtained by the Medical Independent (MI) under Freedom of Information (FoI) law.

Almost €53,000 was claimed in 2022 and over €49,000 in 2023. In 2024, just over €30,000 had been claimed to mid-October. The data included the expenses of 20 individuals working at the Department.

The outgoing Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly received more than €8,000 in 2022 and 2023 combined, but did not claim expenses in the relevant period of 2024, according to the records.

The outgoing Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, claimed more than €45,000 in expenses from 2022 to October 2024. 

Deputy Frank Feighan, former Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and National Drugs Strategy (who held this role from July 2020 to December 2022), claimed over €26,000.

His successor in this role,  Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton (who served from December 2022 to April 2024), claimed more than €19,000. Her successor, Minister of State Colm Burke, received more than €6,000 in 2024.

Prof Breda Smyth, who was Chief Medical Officer from November 2022 to May 2024, claimed more than €12,000 in expenses during this time.

Chief Nursing Officer Ms Rachel Kenna received over €5,700 in expenses in 2022, 2023, and for the first 10 months of 2024.

The Department’s response under FoI did not include a breakdown of the purpose of the expenses.

A Department spokesperson told MI: “The Department of Health reimburses an employee for travel and subsistence expenses incurred wholly, exclusively, and necessarily in the performance of the duties of employment while on official business away from their base, and employees assigned to field duties.”

Typical expenses include overnight allowances, foreign vouched accommodation, day subsistence allowances,  mileage, and public transport/taxi costs.

The Department noted that Ministers of State are not provided with State cars, but are entitled to claim mileage, which provides context as to their level of expenses.

“Expenses are paid in accordance with the relevant Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circulars and office notices and are subject to annual audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General,” added the Department’s spokesperson.