DETAILS of Stormont special adviser expenses have finally been fully disclosed after being held up by a DUP-run department stalling on giving out the information.
The Irish News asked three months ago for expense details in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, which by law requires a response within 20 working days.
However, while most departments supplied the information, the full list was held up after DUP special adviser Stephen Brimstone stalled on approving the release his own expenses.
Mr Brimstone is adviser to Department for Social Development (DSD) minister Nelson McCausland.
The DSD was the last to respond to requests for expenses in 2012/13 - almost three months after the request was sent on July 6.
It is understood the department will only release FOI requests once approved by Mr McCausland or his special adviser.
Most responses are believed to be sent to Mr Brimstone to be signed off before being released.
It is understood a response to the request had been drafted and sent to the minister and Mr Brimstone for approval.
The details, released on October 2, reveal Mr Brimstone claimed £724.02 including £102.47 for a meal and £554.40 on mileage.
Mr Brimstone came under fire earlier this year after a DUP councillor claimed he put pressure on her to change her vote in a Housing Executive board meeting.
His conduct is being examined in a "fact-finding exercise" amid complaints claiming his actions were in breach of the special advisers' code of conduct.
The Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) was also delayed by almost three months in releasing the information.
It revealed that five of the ministers' eight special advisers claimed expenses worth £955.30 including expenses during trips to India, the US and China.
However, the department gave no explanation for failing to disclose the expenses of its three other special advisers.
OFMDFM was monitored between January and March this year by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) over concerns that it was failing to respond to requests on time.
One FOI request remained unanswered more than 500 working days after it was received.
Across all departments, special advisers claimed in total more than £4,400 in expenses during 2012/13.