Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 July 2016
381. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of politically appointed staff working in his Department, including the names, roles and salaries of each staff member; in the case of special advisers, their qualifications and experience relevant to their roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22731/16]
View answerAll political appointments to my Department have been and will continue to be made in accordance with the Guidelines and Instructions on Ministerial Appointments for the Thirty-second Dáil. Subject to Government approval, I intend to appoint two advisers, Caitriona Fitzpatrick and Bob Jordan. Ms Fitzpatrick has significant experience in policy research, analysis and formulation, strategic communications and political affairs. Mr. Jordan, as a former CEO of Threshold, is a recognised expert on housing, homelessness and the private rented sector in Ireland with comprehensive and valuable experience at national and European levels. Both individuals have qualifications and experience which are specifically relevant to the key issues covered by my Department.
The roles and duties of Special Advisers are set out in Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. The information requested regarding numbers and salary is set out in the following table:
Minister Simon Coveney – Political Appointments
|
Job Title |
Grade |
Salary Scale |
|
Special Adviser |
Principal Officer (Standard) Non PPC Scale |
€75,647 – €87,248 |
|
Special Adviser |
Principal Officer (Standard) PPC Scale |
€79,401 – €91,624 |
|
Civilian Driver X 2 |
Civilian Driver Rate |
€631.75 per week |
Minister of State Damien English – Political Appointments
|
Job Title |
Grade |
Salary Scale |
|
Civilian Driver X 2** |
Civilian Driver Rate |
€631.75 per week |
** The salary for Civilian Drivers is €631.75 per week. Drivers who will become members of the new Single Pension Scheme are paid a rate of €665.00 per week.
Both Minister of State English and I have each appointed a Personal Secretary and a Personal Assistant, who are employed by and receive a salary from the Houses of the Oireachtas in accordance with the relevant salary scale.
Minister of State Catherine Byrne, who has shared responsibilities between my Department and the Department of Health has made no political appointments in my Department.
