Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 1996

Vol. 460 No. 6

Written Answers. - Minister of State Posts.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

105 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the actual cost of setting up the two additional Minister of State posts, giving details of the extra cost to the State in the setting up of these extra positions over and above the existing Civil Service staff complement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1780/96]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave him in answer to a very similar question in June of last year.

The allowance of a Minister of State is currently £18,406. In addition, each Minister of State is entitled to certain personal staff drawn from within and outside the Civil Service during his or her tenure of office.

In the case of the two Ministers of State whose appointments followed the enactment of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill, 1995, the aggregated cost of such staff, excluding the existing Civil Service staff complement, was of the order of £160,000.

It should be emphasized that both Ministers of State are attached to a number of Departments and this is reflected in the costs of their personal staff.