Local charities reap benefits of John Halligan TD's expenses

Pictured at Children's Group Link where Deputy John Halligan announced the 15 local charities who would benefit from his expenses as a TD.

Waterford's Independent TD John Halligan this week honoured his pre-election pledge to donate a sizeable proportion of his Dail expenses and salary to local charities.

Deputy Halligan has nominated 15 local charities, community and sporting groups who will share the €41,152 party leaders allowance allocated to him for this year. Furthermore, he has used a portion of his own TD's salary to create part-time work for two people who were on Waterford's unemployment register. The two will be based in the city and Tramore and will work closely with Deputy Halligan, liaising with and assisting constituents on local cases and issues that arise on a day-to-day basis.

All Independents are entitled to claim a €41,152 party leaders' allowance, which is paid annually over the five-year Dail term and cumulatively amounts to a €205,000 tax-free payment if the Dail runs to its full term. In the run-up to the recent General Election, Deputy Halligan said it would be unconscionable of him to accept such a payment and promised voters that, if elected, he would divide a significant portion of both his salary and expenses amongst charitable and community groups throughout the Waterford constituency.

"It is my intention to nominate a different group of charities, sporting and community organisations to receive these monies every year that I am a member of the Dail”, he said this week. "I have no doubt that the funds will be put to excellent use by these very worthwhile groups.”

"In these difficult times such organisations, many of which are at the coldface of our society, are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet and they need all the help they can get.” The list of charities set to benefit under this year's donation from Deputy Halligan are:

1. The Rise and Shine Group

2. First Tee of Ireland

3. Children's Group Link

4. The Education Intervention Task Group

5. SNA Special Needs Association

6. Tramore AFC

7. Travellers Youth Project

8. St Joseph's AFC

9. Manor St John – Youth Project

10. The Shy Project

11. Waterford Youth Arts

12. Waterford Hospice

13. Spring Garden Workshop

14. Irish Kidney Association

15. Down Syndrome Ireland