IRIS ROBINSON will be entitled to payments from Stormont and Westminster following her resignations as an Assembly member and Member of Parliament.
According to Stormont sources, Ms Robinson (inset) can avail of a “winding up allowance” up to £16,000 in relation to her staff and office expenses. The money can be used for paying off staff and to cover any charges relating to the ending of leasing or rental arrangements on constituency offices.
These expenses have to be fully receipted and require approval by Stormont authorities.
Stormont will also make payments to those who are retiring from representative politics on grounds of ill health. It is not possible to put a figure on what Mrs Robinson may receive as it is based on length of service, final salary, contributions and other variables.
The Assembly has made public the guidelines relating to pensions to which members are entitled. They run to 60 pages and individual cases are considered by pension trustees. Under Westminster’s “Green Book” rules governing such cases a “winding up allowance” is also offered.
Unlike Stormont there is no ceiling figure, but a formula is offered to MPs as guidance.
“The maximum amount of the winding up allowance is calculated by summing the full staffing allowance and incidental expenses provision which you expected to receive in the year in question, and then dividing by three.”
The Green Book also advises MPs leaving parliament: “You are expected to use it to meet office rental and utility bills while you close down your office, and also for pay and notice for your staff after the General Election. It covers expenses which before your departure you could have
charged to your staffing allowance or incidental expenses provision, plus certain other costs.”
DAN KEENAN
and MARK HENNESSY