MLAs get 45% expenses increase
The British government has awarded Assembly members at Stormont a 45% increase in their office expenses.
The decision to raise the money from just under £50,000 (€73,000) to £70,000 (€102,200) was agreed days before the parties took up power.
It means the total package each assembly member gets has risen to over £110,000 (€160,600), which stands to increase again if they have extra responsibilities like being a Committee Chair, minister or speaker duties.
Some - but not all - parties demand a cut from salaries for central running costs.
Sinn Féin members get the average industrial wage, with the rest going into party coffers.
