Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2009
316 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [47487/09]
View answer317 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [47502/09]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 317 together.
There are three Special Advisers employed in my Department. Their details are as follows:-
|
Name |
Title |
Annual Salary |
|
€ |
||
|
Dermot Ryan |
Special Adviser to Minister Brendan Smith |
116,142.91 |
|
Philip Hannon |
Media Adviser to Minister Brendan Smith |
99,845.46 |
|
Stiofán Nutty |
Special Adviser to Minister of State Trevor Sargent |
102,439.22 |
318 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [47517/09]
View answerA total of €21,226.91 was paid to 2 special advisers (Media Advisor to Minister Smith and Special Advisor to Minister of State Sargent) by way of contributions towards their pensions for 2009.
319 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [47532/09]
View answerI am satisfied that expenditure on special advisors in my Department represents good value for money. In each case, special advisors employed by my Department are remunerated in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Department of Finance.
