There are 17 staff in my ministerial offices, 14 of these are established civil servants. These include one programme manager, one private secretary, three executive officers, seven clerical officers and two clerical assistants-typists. Three are unestablished staff employed on a contract basis: one special adviser, one personal assistant and one personal secretary.
To support my role as a party leader in Government, a small research unit was established to provide me with advice and analysis on policy issues which arise on the general Government agenda outside my departmental responsibilities. This unit is staffed by four unestablished staff employed on a contract basis: one senior research assistant, one research assistant, one part-time research assistant and one administrative assistant.
There are 13 staff assigned to the private and constituency offices of the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Durkan. Nine of these are established civil servants. These include one private secretary, two staff officers, three clerical officers and three clerical assistants-typists. Four are unestablished staff employed on a contract basis: one personal assistant, one personal secretary and two civilian drivers.