Ministerial Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2011

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

Questions (497)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

516 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of his constituency and parliamentary staff, appointed following the February 2011 elections, on salaries that exceed their applicable pay scale grade; the number of his existing and parliamentary staff employed prior to the February 2011 elections but awarded salary increases following the election that exceed their applicable pay scale grade; and if he will provide their annual salary details in a tabular format. [34563/11]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney)

In answer to the Deputy's question, four staff were appointed following the February 2011 elections. Of the four, one salary of €130,000 exceeded the applicable pay scale grade for Special Adviser and was approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This person has since resigned from his position and has not been replaced.

I can confirm that none of my existing and parliamentary staff employed prior to the February 2011 elections was awarded salary increases that exceeded their applicable pay scale grade.