Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
774. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of advisers and special advisers employed by her Department in 2017 and 2018 and to date in 2019; the areas of expertise covered by such advisers; the annual salaries associated with same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6567/19]
View answerSince my appointment as Minister on the 30 November 2017, and as provided for by the Public Service Management Act 1997, I have appointed two special advisers. My media adviser was appointed with effect from the 8 January 2018 and my policy adviser with effect from the 15 March 2018.
My predecessor Minister Heather Humphreys, appointed a policy and a media adviser with effect from the 14 June 2017. One special adviser subsequently left and another was appointed with effect from 18 September 2017.
All special advisers are paid at the relevant Principal Officer (Standard scale) rate in accordance with the standard arrangements put in place by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
In addition, all of the above appointments are made in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Instructions to Personnel Officers – Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil, which is available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's website.
