Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 July 2015
67. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the annual saving to the Exchequer if the Minister's special adviser's salary was capped at the first point of the principal officer grade, that is, €75,647; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26968/15]
View answerI have four Special Advisers. One of my Special Advisors is on secondment from the Central Bank and, in accordance with the rules governing secondment retains his terms and conditions, including salary. The annual savings to the Exchequer if the salaries of the other three special advisers were capped at the first point of the Principal Officer grade would be €71,926.
By way of clarification, there are two salary scales for Special Advisers. There is a non-personal pension contribution scale starting at €75,647 for Special Advisers who were appointed prior to 1 January 2013. There is a personal pension contribution scale in respect of Special Advisers appointed after that date, starting at €79,401. In this instance the person makes a pension contribution to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme which was established on 1 January 2013.
