Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 6

Written Answers. - Ministerial Staff.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

202 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current number of staff, broken down by grade, employed in the press office in respect of his office and the office of each Minister of State within his Department; the current amount paid in respect of each office in terms of salary, overtime and expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17139/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen):

All press matters are dealt with by the Department's Press Section, in which there are four posts, as follows:

Grade	Total	Salary Scale
Counsellor	1	€61,121 –€75,603
First Secretary	1	€46,313 –€57,747
Third Secretary	1	€25,201 –€44,565
Clerical Officer	1	€17,676 –€28,664

In addition, the development co-operation division has a publicity and information officer who is the equivalent of the assistant principal grade. His salary scale is €49,007 –€61,111. Allowances of €3,809.21 and €2,539.48 per annum respectively are paid to the counsellor and first secretary. Overtime, travel and subsistence expenses are paid in accordance with normal Civil Service regulations.