Vol. 469 No. 3
184 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons employed by him on a full-time, part-time and contract basis for the duration of the Irish Presidency of the EU; the total costs involved in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17229/96]
No additional staff have been employed by me for the duration of the Irish Presidency on a full-time, part-time or contract basis. The planning and preparations for my Department's work programme in the context of the Irish Presidency of the EU is handled by the appropriate division in my Department. An existing member of staff from the Department was redeployed on a temporary basis to this area since July 1996 to assist with the increased workload associated with the Presidency. Where exceptional needs arise — e.g. conference support — staff from other areas of the Department are involved in a part-time, support capacity only.
In June 1995, my Department appointed an attaché on a full-time basis at the permanent representation to the EU in Brussels to deal with social welfare matters at European level.
