Michael Noonan
Question:101 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the number and grades of staff from the Department of the Taoiseach who are seconded to work on the Stadium Ireland project [11407/01]
Written Answers - Departmental Staff.
Three members of staff have been seconded from the Department of the Taoiseach to work on the Stadium Ireland project at Abbotstown. The grades of the staff concerned are one principal officer, one higher executive officer and one executive officer.
Note: Two staff from the Department of the Taoiseach, Ms Kitty Maloney and Ms Mary Keane are seconded directly to Campus and Stadium Ireland Limited and one, Mr. Donagh Morgan is seconded to Magahy and Co.
Reasons for secondments: Ms Maloney and Ms Keane provide clerical and secretarial support to the executive chairperson. As all executive services for Campus and Stadium Ireland Limited are contracted to Magahy and Co., it was necessary to second Mr. Morgan to them in order that his prior experience, through the feasibility study etc., would continue to be available to the secretariat of Campus and Stadium Ireland Limited.
Duration of secondments: all were informed in their letters of appointment that the period of secondment is for a maximum of five years in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines. However, these are guidelines only and can be exceeded with Department of Finance sanction. Generally applications for sanction to extend secondments are looked upon favourably and in a small number of other secondments from this Department to other bodies the five year guideline has been exceeded. In each case pay costs are recouped to the Department of the Taoiseach by the outside body concerned.
Other staff working for Campus and Stadium Ireland: Two former Department of the Taoiseach employees now work for Campus and Stadium Ireland. These are Mr. Paddy Teahon, formerly Secretary General of the Department and now executive chairperson of Campus and Stadium Ireland Limited. Mr. Teahon receives remuneration equivalent to half his secretary general salary before retirement. This is split 30%-70% between Digital Media Development Limited and Campus and Stadium Ireland Limited. Ms Evelyn Eager resigned as personal assistant in the Department of the Taoiseach in November 2000 and was offered a contract with Campus and Stadium Ireland Limited.
Previous staffing PQ: The Department of the Taoiseach answered a parliamentary question on 14 February 2001 relating to all secondments from the Department. The three secondments above were given and the only comment on the stadium was from Deputy Owen when she said: "What is the purpose of sending so many staff to these different Agencies? It is interesting that three have gone to Campus Ireland. I thought only one had gone. There are now three there to keep an eye on things for the Taoiseach."