Hundreds of thousands of euro have been set aside this year to pay for new secretarial support for former presidents.
The three living previous presidents have for the first time, been given secretarial assistance similar to those arrangements currently in place for former taoisigh.
Áras an Uachtaráin has confirmed that Michael D Higgins, Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson have now taken up the offer.
The funding for the new service is provided for under a subhead in the president's estimates called "Operational Services, Supplies and Sundry Equipment".
It typically covers costs for things like equipment hire, photography, translation services, printing, and postal services at Áras an Uachtaráin.
In 2025, some €587,000 was allocated for these services but there has been a substantial increase in funding to take account of the secretarial support for the former presidents.
It rose to €1.042 million this year, which is a hike of €455,000 or 78% on the previous year.
The exact pay involved for this secretarial role is linked to the civil service Higher Executive Office grade, which has a pay scale of just over €62,000 to more than €76,000.
The Department of the Taoiseach will not say if the new supports for the former residents of Áras an Uachtaráin were requested last year ahead of the presidential election in October.
It was pointed out that there is a convention that the department does not comment on funding for the Office of the President.
However, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said that his party will raise the matter in the Dáil at the earliest opportunity and he accused the Government of agreeing these new arrangements in secret.
"Secretarial services for former presidents is a bit rich. Former presidents have provided the state with significant service, for sure, but they have also got very well paid for it.
"The current salary for a president is €350,000. Over a seven-year period, its €2.4m. That's more than most people earn in their whole lives.
"Given that so many families are still in the grip of the cost of living crisis, this smacks of a L'Oréal 'I’m worth it’ political culture far removed from the ordinary people," he said.
