Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 November 2019
101. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the political advisers used by Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department since the commencement of this Government; the commencement and cessation dates in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47969/19]
View answerDetails of special advisers contracted by my Department since the commencement of this Government are outlined in the following table.
|
Name |
Commencement Date |
Cessation Date |
|
Deborah SweeneySpecial Adviser |
Appointed as SA to DPER on 06/05/2016.Reappointed as SA to DPER & Finance on 15/06/2017. |
N/A |
|
Stephen Lynam Special Adviser |
Appointed as SA to DPER on 06/05/2016. Reappointed as SA to DPER & Finance on 15/06/2017 |
16/03/2018 |
|
Niamh CallaghanSpecial Adviser |
Appointed as SA to DPER on 17/05/2018. |
04/11/2019 |
Non-civil service appointments in my Department are made in line with “Instructions to Personnel Officers - Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil”, which include “Guidelines on staffing of Ministerial offices” issued by my Department.
Special Advisers are appointed under Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. A Special Adviser to a Minister or to a Minister of State, as in the case may be, shall
(a) assist the Minister or Minister of State, as the case may be, by –
(i) Providing advice,
(ii) Monitoring, facilitating and securing the achievement of the Government objectives that relate to the Department, as requested by the Minister or the Minister of State, as the case may be, and
(iii) Performing such other functions as may be directed by the Minister or the Minister of State, as the case may be that are not otherwise provided for in this Act and do not involve the exercise of any specific powers conferred on the Minister or the Minister of State as the case may be or any other office holder by or under any other Act.
The appointments of Advisers are kept under review given the breath of my responsibilities across two Departments.
