Former President Returns €384,467 to Exchequer

Former Irish President Michael D. Higgins returned a total of €2.6 million to the Exchequer over his fourteen years in office, according to figures released in a newly published document titled ‘2025 – A Year In Review.’ This includes returns of the 1938 Allowance and foregone salary, and pensions.

The figures show that Mr. Higgins returned €384,467 of the 1938 Allowance during his second seven-year term. This represents in addition to a previous return of €238,443 made following the conclusion of his first term. The 1938 Allowance is available to all Irish Presidents to cover additional costs not included in their standard budget.

Beyond the allowance returns, Mr. Higgins also gifted €2 million to the State, comprised of €1,310,491 in Oireachtas and Ministerial pensions and €689,474 in pay over the 14-year period. Combining these amounts results in a total return of €2,622,875 to the State.

Use of the 1938 Allowance

The Presidential Establishment Act 1938 provides for the 1938 Allowance, which has been available to every President for the past 88 years. According to the report, Mr. Higgins utilized the allowance to support hospitality at Áras an Uachtaráin, hosting approximately 20,000 visitors annually, excluding years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This included garden parties and state dinners for visiting heads of state, as well as numerous other events.

The report detailing these figures, ‘2025 – A Year In Review,’ covers Mr. Higgins’ final year as President, from January 1 to November 10, 2025. It is available for viewing and download on the President.ie website, fulfilling a commitment made during his 2018 presidential election campaign to provide annual public updates on his activities.

The figures were initially reported by Hotpress and the Independent.ie.