The following is a list of special advisers that served during the tenure of the last three Ministers at this Department. As allowed for under the staffing guidelines for Ministerial Offices Ms. Coughlan had three special advisers as in addition to her ministerial portfolio she held the office of Tánaiste:
Mary Coughlan, T.D.An Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science23rd March 2010 to 9th March 2011
Appointees
Michael Shovlin,Special Adviser Dermot Murphy,Special Adviser Sean Perry, Press Adviser
Batt O'Keeffe, T.D.Minister for Education and Science7th May 2008 to 23rd March 2010
Appointees
Deirdre McDonnell, Special AdviserBernard Mallee, Special Adviser
Mary Hanafin, T.D.,Minister for Education and Science29th September 2004 to 7th May 2008
Averil Power, Special Adviser,Geraldine Butler, Press Officer