Special advisers attached to a minister or the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) claimed more than €37,000 outside of their regular salary since March 2020 according to latest figures.

Ministerial advisers are appointed by the government in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act 1997.

The figures released by the department include "mileage claims, subsistence, other vouched expenses and unvouched expenses".

All claims are paid at the "prevailing" civil service rates.

According to the department, "travel episodes" comprise of 37 claims including trade missions to Germany and Africa, Bord Bia events in Italy and Kildare, as well as Teagasc events in Grange, Co. Meath and Moorepark, Co. Cork.

Separately last month (February 2025) the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, confirmed that DAFM has has a contract worth €5 million over four years for cleaning services at Co. Dublin locations.

In response to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Bay North, Denise Mitchell, the minister noted that DAFM also has a cleaning contract worth €2.5 million over four years in regional locations.

DAFM also outsources contracts for security services in regional locations.

According to Minister Hayden, these contracts are worth €364,919 over four years, €40,000 over two years, and €43,275 over one year.

“In addition, my department also holds contracts with facilities management companies who provide cleaning and security services at two of my department’s locations. The value of these contracts are €444,000 over four years and €200,000 over four years,” Minister Hayden said.

“My department also pays facilities management fees at another department location, however, the contract for this facilities management company is held by the Office of Public Works," he added.