Jerry Buttimer
Question:85 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35872/12]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 July 2012
85 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35872/12]
View answer86 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35891/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together.
In my Department, I have appointed Mary Kenny and Eoin Dorgan as special advisers. The salary for both special advisers has been €83,337 per annum since their appointment.
My predecessor, the late Brian Lenihan, TD appointed two special advisers as follows:
Ms Cathy Herbert (appointed in May 2008): Salary €107,485. Ms Herbert was not a member of the civil service pension schemes. Payments not exceeding 11% of her salary were made on her behalf to a pension fund in respect of her superannuation contributions.
Dr. Alan Ahearne (appointed in March 2009): Salary €135,000. Dr. Ahearne was a member of the pension scheme of NUI Galway, from which body he was on secondment to the Department of Finance. Payments not exceeding 11% of the difference between his NUIG salary and the additional amount he received in respect of his position were made on his behalf to a pension fund in respect of superannuation contributions.