STORMONT is facing calls to reform contracts for ministers' special advisers amid outcry over 'golden handshake' severance packages worth tens of thousands of pounds.
The Irish News revealed on Friday that new DUP assembly member Emma Pengelly is in line for a pay-out worth up to £45,000 after giving up her special adviser post.
Before being appointed as an MLA last week she worked for eight years as a 'Spad' in the first minister's office, earning a salary of more than £90,000 when she left.
There has also been controversy over special advisers who lost their jobs due to the resignation of DUP 'in-out' ministers being in line for severance payments worth up to six months' wages.
Among those due to receive a pay-out is Stephen Brimstone, who was recently at the centre of a Stormont inquiry into claims of political interference in the Housing Executive.
Mrs Pengelly is entitled to receive the taxpayer-funded package despite voluntarily leaving her position for another publicly-paid role attracting a salary of £48,000.
She was chosen by the DUP as its new South Belfast MLA to replace Jimmy Spratt who stepped down on health grounds.
TUV leader Jim Allister said the "huge severance payments" to Spads would "leave a bad taste in the mouth of many members of the public".
"There is certainly scope for an overhaul of these arrangements. What has happened to date does nothing to improve the already damaged image of politics in Northern Ireland," he said.
"Rather it feeds the perception that elected officials are not there to serve the public but rather feather their own nest."
Other Spads have been in line for severence pay-outs in recent months.
DUP East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson was due a pay-out after resigning from his Spad role in the first minister's office to run for election in May.
Ulster Unionist adviser Rodney McCune would also be in line for a severance package after Danny Kennedy last month resigned as regional development minister.
He resigned after the PSNI said members of the Provisional IRA were involved in murdering ex-IRA man Kevin McGuigan.
Several DUP ministers also later stepped down amid the ongoing political fall-out over the murder.
If Spads are reappointed within the time period the pay-out covers, they are only entitled to keep the amount covering the duration between the two periods of employment.
The Stormont executive has previously spent £2m on special advisers in a single year – more than the Scottish and Welsh governments combined.
Mr Allister is bringing proposals before the assembly to reduce the number of Spads in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, and to make them subject to the civil service disciplinary code.
The North Antrim MLA said: "Currently Spads although technically civil servants are not subject to the provisions of the code.
"Even when disciplinary action is recommended against a Spad the minister can step in and prevent action being taken."
A DUP spokesman said: "It is a contractual obligation for a special advisor to resign upon having become identified as an election candidate."
When asked if any of their Spads had received severance packages, Sinn Féin and the SDLP said it was a matter for the individual Stormont departments.
Alliance said it has had the same two Spads since its ministers took up office.
