Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard Allen

Question:

744 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount paid since July 1997 to date in 2002 in fees, salary, allowances including delegates' allowances, expenses and other payments to any person in or under the aegis of his Department who is or was a special adviser within the meaning of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995; the name of the person in each case; the amount paid to each person; the break down as between salary, allowances, expenses and other payments; the date on which each person was appointed; and, in the case of persons no longer holding such position, the date on which the appointment ceased [17267/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey):

The total amount paid to special advisers in my Department from July 1997 to date is €171,603.93. Details are as follows:

Name	Date Appointed	Date Appointment Ceased	Salary to date	Expenses Paid	Delegate Allowances
			€	€
Peter Mac Donagh	27/6/1997	27/1/2000	120,486.82	1,921.23	None
Simon Fulham	17/12/2001	6/6/02	23,926.58	None	None
Jimmy Fegan	6/6/02	N/A	25,269.30	None	None

Bernard Allen

Question:

745 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount paid in legal fees by his Department in 1999, 2000, 2001 and to date in 2002; the persons to whom payment was made; and the amount of payment in each case. [17297/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey):

Generally, the Department of Education and Science secures legal advice and representation by and through the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor and incurs no fees in relation to these services. My Department meets the legal costs of litigants where there is a settlement to that effect or an order for costs against the Minister for Education and Science. Individual Departments engage private firms of solicitors in a limited number of circumstances where the Chief State Solicitor is unable to assist, and from time to time engages counsel, nominated by the Attorney General, to conduct non-statutory inquires. The fees associated with these and other contingencies are charged to the relevant Votes and subheads within my Department and I regret that the material required to respond to this question has not been fully collated yet. A reply will be made directly to him as soon as possible.