Seán Ó Fearghaíl Defends Hiring Sister In Constituency Office, Says She's 'Adept' At Helping The Anxious

Monday, 17 February 2025 10:17

By Martin Osborne

Also in Kildare, Agriculture Minister and Fine Gael Kildare South TD Martin Heydon previously employed family members.

Some Kildare TDs have employed family members in roles paid for by taxpayers.

Former Ceann Comhairle and Kildare South Fianna Fail TD Seán Ó Fearghaíl has employed his sister in one of his constituency offices.

"My sister, who is a health professional, and particularly adept at assisting people who are anxious or distressed, has worked as my secretarial assistant since 2015 based in one of my constituency offices," he told The Irish Examiner.

Also in Kildare, Agriculture Minister and Fine Gael Kildare South TD Martin Heydon previously employed family members.

TDs have a number of options available to hire staff: they can take on an administrative assistant and either a parliamentary assistant or draw down the Special Secretarial Allowance.

Up to €55,601 is the maximum salary of an administrative assistant.

A parliamentary assistant can receive up to €59,819.

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