Departmental Staff.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 November 2004

Wednesday, 3 November 2004

Questions (148, 149)

Billy Timmins

Question:

200 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of personnel who work in his private office; the rank and grades of these persons; the job descriptions of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27466/04]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

There are seven members of staff working in my private office. The rank, grades and job descriptions for each of the officers are: one higher executive officer, private secretary; two executive officers, diary and correspondence duties; two clerical officers, general clerical duties; one special adviser, principal officer level; one personal assistant, higher executive officer. The staffing of my private office is in compliance with the Department of Finance guidelines regarding the staffing of ministerial offices.

Billy Timmins

Question:

201 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of personnel who work in his private office; the rank and grades of these persons; the job descriptions of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27467/04]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

There are nine staff working in my private office in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The staffing breakdown by grade and job descriptions is outlined in Table 1.

Table 1.

Grade breakdown	Job description
1 Higher Executive Officer	Private Secretary to the Minister and manager of the Minister’s Office.
2 Executive Officers	Managing the Minister’s travel arrangements, managing draft replies for Minister’s signature, processing of bills for payment and co-ordinating the Department’s Legislative Programme. Managing the Minister’s incoming representations and Parliamentary matters.
3 Clerical Officers	Managing the Minister’s diary. Issuing of correspondence in relation to Minister’s diary, co-ordinating briefing material for diary events and the issuing of post. Co-ordinating Government papers and draft Memoranda for Government, co-ordinating PQ responses and issuing of post.
1 Special Adviser 1 Policy Adviser 1 Press Adviser	Provision of advice and assistance to the Minister on his broad range of responsibilities as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

There are 2.8 clerical officer typists who provide clerical support to the Minister's private and constituency offices and Minister's advisers as the need arises.