Cost of running president's office set to rise to over €5.5 million next year

A staff of around 18 chefs and caterers are employed at Áras an Úachtaráin to provide meals for Michael D Higgins and his guests

The cost of running the office of the president is set to exceed €5.5 million next year, representing an increase of around 75 percent since Michael D Higgins was first elected in 2011.

It was revealed in last week’s Budget that spending on the President’s Establishment was expected to increase by five percent in 2025 to €5.546 million.

The majority of this outlay relates to salaries, wages and allowances, which are set to increase by eight percent next year, rising to almost €2.6 million. The number of people employed at Áras an Uachtaráin will increase to 31 from 30.

A total of €310,000 has been allocated for the president’s travel and subsistence, while training and development costs will be slashed by 25 percent to €30,000. Some €9,000 has been budgeted for premises expenses.

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Operational services, supplies and sundry equipment costs will rise by six percent to €587,000, while spending on digital capital investment and IT expenses will be reduced by seven percent.

Resources set aside for the Centenarian’s Bounty will be increased by €1,000 to just over €1.75 million. This is a gift of €2,540 sent to citizens and foreign residents when they turn 100. It’s accompanied by a special message from the president.

Since 2000, centenarians also receive a commemorative coin and a congratulatory letter from the president on every birthday after they turn 100. A new coin is designed each year.

While overall spending on the President’s Establishment is set to rise by five percent to €5.546 million, this is expected to be offset by a 12 percent increase in appropriations in aid, reducing the net cost to €5.438 million.

Employees on the presidential payroll include a staff of around 18 chefs and caterers who provide meals for Michael D Higgins and his guests at Áras an Uachtaráin. The team includes an executive head chef, a chef, an assistant chef, a cook, and a catering and services captain.

They are supported by around a dozen catering and services assistants, and one kitchen assistant. Additional external support staff are contracted as required, according to the Office of Public Works (OPW), which is responsible for the maintenance and management of the Áras.

The budgetary allocation for the President’s Establishment was just under €3.2 million in 2011, when Michael D Higgins was first elected to the office. It has since increased by 76 percent, according to documents from the Department of Finance.

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