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£1,000 expenses a week for MLAs £1,000 expenses a week for MLAs
(about 3 hours later)
Northern Ireland's MLAs are claiming nearly £1,000 on average each week in expenses, BBC News can reveal.Northern Ireland's MLAs are claiming nearly £1,000 on average each week in expenses, BBC News can reveal.
Expenses claimed since 8 May now total almost £2m, working out at £928 each week (or £132.60 each day) per member.Expenses claimed since 8 May now total almost £2m, working out at £928 each week (or £132.60 each day) per member.
Five MLAs have claimed over £28,000, including the DUP's Ian Paisley Jnr and independent Dr Kieran Deeny.Five MLAs have claimed over £28,000, including the DUP's Ian Paisley Jnr and independent Dr Kieran Deeny.
DUP assembly member Jeffrey Donaldson said the money paid for the cost of running constituency offices and did not go into MLAs' pockets.
"It's not MLAs claiming expenses, it's MLAs providing a service to their constituents that is funded through properly monitored procedures," Mr Donaldson said.
Gerry Adams and Gerry Kelly's expenses have increased dramatically, with the Sinn Fein pair claiming almost £35,000 between them since the end of June.Gerry Adams and Gerry Kelly's expenses have increased dramatically, with the Sinn Fein pair claiming almost £35,000 between them since the end of June.
When BBC News revealed the first set of expenses from the new Stormont administration in July, Mr Adams had claimed just £881.15 and Mr Kelly £4,155. Their expenses now total £17,612 and £22,343 respectively.When BBC News revealed the first set of expenses from the new Stormont administration in July, Mr Adams had claimed just £881.15 and Mr Kelly £4,155. Their expenses now total £17,612 and £22,343 respectively.
OvertakenOvertaken
SDLP Foyle MLA Mary Bradley had been Stormont's biggest expenses recipient, but has since been overtaken by Upper Bann DUP MLA Stephen Moutray.SDLP Foyle MLA Mary Bradley had been Stormont's biggest expenses recipient, but has since been overtaken by Upper Bann DUP MLA Stephen Moutray.
Mr Moutray has claimed £33,522 since 8 May compared to Mrs Bradley's £32,053.Mr Moutray has claimed £33,522 since 8 May compared to Mrs Bradley's £32,053.
The MLA claiming the third biggest expenses is the UUP's George Savage (£31,060), also an Upper Bann representative.The MLA claiming the third biggest expenses is the UUP's George Savage (£31,060), also an Upper Bann representative.
Mr Savage is followed by Ian Paisley Jnr (£29,800) and Dr Deeny (£28,185)Mr Savage is followed by Ian Paisley Jnr (£29,800) and Dr Deeny (£28,185)
Among the lowest expenses recipients are DUP West Tyrone MLA Allan Bresland (£2,185) and Sinn Fein's Caral Ni Chuilin (£4,420) and Caitriona Ruane (£4,399).Among the lowest expenses recipients are DUP West Tyrone MLA Allan Bresland (£2,185) and Sinn Fein's Caral Ni Chuilin (£4,420) and Caitriona Ruane (£4,399).
A spokesman for the Assembly said the figures may "include some claims for expenses incurred between 1 April 2007 and 7 May 2007 but paid after restoration".A spokesman for the Assembly said the figures may "include some claims for expenses incurred between 1 April 2007 and 7 May 2007 but paid after restoration".