Vol. 413 No. 2
98 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Health if she will give details of the number of staff employed in her private office (1) on a permanent basis and (2) on a part-time basis; and if she will give details of the total costs for such staff for the years (a) 1970-75, (b) 1975-80 and (c) 1980 to date.
There are five permanent staff employed in my private office at present and the total gross cost involved is £54,000 per annum. There are no part-time staff employed. I regret to say that it is not possible to furnish comparable data for earlier years given the time available to me. The situation is also complicated by the fact that prior to the mid-eighties the Departments of Health and Social Welfare were held as a joint ministry and the Minister's private office was staffed by both Departments.
