Vol. 471 No. 8
100 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated total cost of running his office in respect of staffing support services, special arrangements, special research unit and other such related costs for 1997. [22301/96]
The total costs of salaries and other related costs in respect of my ministerial office in 1997 are estimated as £364,515. The comparable costs are estimated at £335,300 in 1996. As the Deputy is aware, as a party leader in Government I have been sanctioned to employ five unestablished Civil Service staff — four full-time equivalents — at an estimated cost of £97,725 in 1997 and £93,250 in 1996. The support services, such as finance and personnel functions, for my office are provided from within the existing resources of the central support units of the Department.
