TDs and Senators will in future be required to produce receipts to support their expenses claims in future, the Oireachtas Commission has confirmed.
The commission said a new system of vouched expenses would be introduced, though it is not expected that this would lead to a lower overall bill.
Last year, members and former members of the Oireachtas received €13.8 million in allowances and expenses.
The Oireachtas Commission, a newly established body which runs the Houses of the Oireachtas, published its annual report today.
The report shows that last year the Dáil sat for 840 hours, the Seanad for 544, and Committees for 960 hours - a total of 2,344 hours.
The total cost of running the Oireachtas was €83 million or over €35,000 per hour of legislative activity.
That figure, which includes the €13.8 million expenses bill, is made up of €29 million on administration and services; €9 million for the pay and pensions of member's staff; and €27.5 million for pay and pensions for members and MEPs.
A new research service is also to be established in a measure that aims to give Opposition politicians the resources to hold the Government to account.
