Vol. 460 No. 3
19 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the public competition process that was adopted for the recruitment of the personnel in his new research unit; the job specification of each employee in the new unit; if he will give details of each contract; the functions, responsibilities and role of these personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1215/96]
21 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number, purpose and salaries of persons recently appointed to positions in a new policy unit in his Department; whether these positions were advertised; if so, where they were advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1319/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 21 together.
In a written reply on 14 December 1995 I set out in some detail the job specifications and functions of the research unit established to provide me, as leader of one of the three parties in Government, with advice and analysis on policy issues which arise outside my departmental responsibilities.
The purpose of the unit is to enable me to contribute optimally to the formulation of Government policy across the spectrum of social, economic and fiscal issues.
I am happy to repeat the details I set out on 14 December. The research unit has a civil servant at principal officer level assigned to it and is also staffed by five non-civil service staff employed on a contract basis; namely, one senior research assistant, one research assistant, two part-time research assistants and one administrative assistant. That is a staffing complement of four full-time equivalent posts. The estimated annual cost including PRSI of these contract posts is £91,718. The cost in 1995 was £7,770. The salaries relating to each of these positions are shown in the tabular statement which I will supply to the Deputies. The payment rates are equivalent to the rates for grades of comparable responsibility in the established Civil Service.
The usual approach taken by Ministers and party leaders, both in this and in previous administrations, in making such appointments has been on the basis of a personal assessment of the individuals. There has never been a practice of advertising such posts and I have not departed from that norm.
If one appoints contract staff to analyse and consider policy options from a Democratic Left perspective, of course one appoints politically informed people rather than political agnostics.
Staffing of the Research Unit, Department of Social Welfare.
|
Title |
Salary (Per Annum) |
|
£ |
|
|
Senior Research Officer |
28,000 |
|
Research Assistant |
18,000 |
|
Part-time Research Asst. (x 2) |
11,000 (x 2) |
|
Administrative Assistant |
14,640 |
Do I take it politically informed people read the Democratic Left circular and all other politically interested people are agnostics? Does the Minister consider it satisfactory that recruitment to this unit was advertised only in the internal pamphlet of Democratic Left?
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is "no". The positions were not advertised.
Does the Minister agreethis is merely a ploy to have taxpayers pay for his headquarters' staff?
None of those employed by me has ever been employed by the headquarters of Democratic Left. I followed precisely the same procedures as the Deputy did when he was Minister for Agriculture. Food and Forestry.
Are the five people members of the Minister's party? I was flabbergasted to read in the newspapers a few days ago that the jobs were advertised in a Democratic Left magazine and not in the newspapers.
I do not propose to answer questions on the political affiliations of individuals employed by anyone.
It would be too embarrassing if the Minister did so. What about openness? That is an outrageous answer.
Do Deputies wish me to answer the question?
They are employed in the Department of Social Welfare.
Let us hear the Minister's reply without interruption.
There is such a thing as McCarthyism, Deputy Walsh, which you are sailing very close to.
What about openness? With his background the Minister is a great man to talk about McCarthyism. We know all about him.
Does the Deputy wish to hear my reply?
I do, but give me a clear and straight answer this time.
Deputies Bertie Ahern, Harney and Walsh retained an adviser when they were in Government although they were not party leaders at the time and they did so to concentrate exclusively on their Departmental responsibilities. I will give the names of the advisers if the Deputy wishes. The positions were not advertised internally or externally.
The Minister has five.
I will give more information.
We must deal with other Priority Questions.
The unit in the Department and the five people employed are in addition to the other advisers. We are talking about the expenditure of a considerable amount of taxpayer's money. Did the establishment of this unit have formal Cabinet approval?
The appointment of staff either on contract or otherwise must have the approval of the Department of Finance.
That is another question that has not been answered. To what account will this unit, which will specifically support him as party leader, be charged?
It will be charged to the account of the Department of Social Welfare——
In support of Democratic Left?
How can the Minister justify that?
——just as the appointment of the Deputy's adviser when he was Minister was charged to the account of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the appointment of Deputy Ahern's adviser was charged to the Department of Finance and the appointment of Deputy Harney's adviser was charged to the Department of the Environment.
She had one adviser.
The Minister's hypocrisy is unbelievable.
I am calling Deputy Clohessy, and let us hear him.
The Minister is an unbelievable hypocrite.
When the Minister was in Opposition he was most outspoken——
On a point of order, is it appropriate for a Member of this House to call another Member a hypocrite?
It is not appropriate.
It is, if he is one and the Minister is one.
——on the question of advisers. Since coming to office he has a two tier advisory body which is outrageous.
Is that a question?
The Minister should apologise to the public.
I was in Opposition at the time. I had no experience of Government and did not appreciate how difficult it was to be a Minister and leader of a party.
That is really rich coming from the Minister.
I am a Minister who must ensure that all other ministries take account of my views as the Leader of Democratic Left.
And get the taxpayers to pay for it.
We are a three party Government and I am quite happy to stand over what I have done.
Almost half the time has now expired.
Will this cabal and unit of party activists have access to confidential information within the Department?
