Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 6

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

369 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the number and names of persons working in a public relations or similar capacity, whether directly or on a consultancy basis, for his Department; the person or persons to whom each individual group reports; the precise function of each individual; the terms, conditions of employment and remuneration in each case; the Vote or subhead from which this remuneration is taken; the operating instructions, if any, given in each case and by whom; the outside agencies, if any, involved in this work; if so, the extent of this involvement; the extent and nature of back-up facilities, if any, available to these persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8037/98]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

There are two people working in a public relations or similar capacity in my Department. Their details are as follows:

CSF Information Unit

1. Names and titles: Alva Ó Cleirigh, CSF information officer.

2. Reporting arrangements: The CSF information officer reports to the CSF technical assistance OP monitoring committee, comprising representatives of the Department of Finance, the European Commission, the CSF information and evaluation units and regional authorities.

3. Function: The CSF information officer is responsible for promoting awareness in Ireland of Structural and Cohesion Fund operations among the public and potential beneficiaries and for ensuring compliance by implementing agencies with EU publicity and information requirements.

4. Terms of employment: The post of CSF information officer is a contract post renewable annually. A salary range of up to £28,200 applies to the post.

5. Subhead details: Remuneration is under Subhead L of Vote 6, Office of the Minister for Finance.

6. Operating instructions: The CSF information officer's work programme is approved by the Community Support Framework (CSF) Technical Assistance Monitoring Committee.

7. Other agencies involved: None.

8. Back up facilities: There are three executive and clerical support staff on secondment from the Department of Finance to provide administrative support to the CSF information officer. The support staff are also shared by the CSF evaluation unit.

Press Office

1. Name and Title: Amanda Johnson, press information officer.

2. Reporting arrangements: The press and information officer reports directly to the Minister for Finance.

3. Function: To provide a press service for the media in relation to the Minister and the Department of Finance and to carry out other duties as may be assigned.

4. Terms of employment: The appointment is a temporary unestablished position in the Civil Service. A salary scale of £40,259 — £49,650, equivalent to that of the Civil Service scale of Principal Officer (Higher), applies to the post.

5. Subhead details: Remuneration is paid from the A1 salaries subhead of Vote 6, Office of the Minister for Finance.

6. Operating instructions: Not applicable.

7. Other agencies involved: None.

8. Back up facilities: There is one executive officer and two clerical staff from the Department who provide administrative support to the press and information officer.