Brian Hayes
Question:273 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the name, title and number of special advisers in his Department between 1 January to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47491/09]
View answerWednesday, 16 December 2009
Questions (261, 262, 263, 264)
Brian Hayes
Question:274 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the details of the annual salaries in cash amount, and not merely in grade level, of special advisers in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47506/09]
View answerBrian Hayes
Question:275 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the details of the total cost of pension contributions associated with the retention of special advisers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47521/09]
View answerBrian Hayes
Question:276 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Defence if he will defend the spend of taxpayers’ money on such additional expertise, as provided by special advisers, when resources are scarce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47536/09]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 to 276, inclusive, together.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the name, title, number and annual salary of special advisers in my Department is set out below.
|
Name |
Title |
No. |
Salary Scale as at 01/12/2009 |
|
Derek Mooney |
Special Adviser (Non-established) |
1 |
Principal Officer standard scale €86,168 – €89,819 – €93,449 – €97,109 – €100,191 – €103,389 – €106,582 |
|
Suzanne Coogan |
Press Adviser (Non-established) |
1 |
Principal Officer standard scale €86,168 – €89,819 – €93,449 – €97,109 – €100,191 – €103,389 – €106,582 |
This salary will be reduced as a result of the reduction in public service pay rates announced in last week's Budget. The Special Advisers are on call on a seven day per week basis and are not entitled to overtime. The special advisers are members of the Unestablished Civil Service Pension Scheme and pay the pension levy. My Department does not make any contribution to this Scheme.
The appointment of Special Advisers and/or Programme Managers has been a feature of all Governments since 1994 and the rate of pay has always been closely aligned to the pay of the Principal Officer grade in the civil service. The Special Advisers at my Department are appointed in accordance with the terms of the Public Service Management Act 1997 and the Guidelines issued by the Department of the Taoiseach.