The Social Democrats ranked among Ireland’s fastest-growing political machines last year after the party nearly doubled spending and increased staffing by 50 per cent, newly filed accounts show. As 2024 was an election year, some of this expansion was temporary, yet campaign and election costs accounted for just over €220,000 of an €860,000 jump in spending to €1.8 million.  The bulk of the increase went towards a €445,000 addition to staff costs as the average number of employees at the party’s head office grew from 10 to 15 last year. Payroll costs topped €1 million for the first time. “Increased…

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