asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the name, rank, salary, allowances and terms and conditions of employment of advisers and assistants, other than civil servants, at present employed by him or his Minister of State.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministerial Advisers and Assistants.
1.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the number of personal contract assistants employed by him and his Minister of State; the cost of each and the overall cost to the taxpayer.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
The particulars requested are as follows: Mrs Eileen Grogan and Miss Jane Walsh have been appointed on secondment from the Houses of the Oireachtas as personal secretaries to myself and the Minister of State respectively at an annual salary of £8,004 and £6,811, respectively. These appointments are in a temporary unestablished full-time capacity under an excluding order issued by the Civil Service Commissioners for the period up to 15 December 1983.
Mr. Declan McPartlin has been appointed part-time special adviser to the Minister of State at an annual salary of £9,800. This is a temporary appointment for the duration of the present Government's term of office and may be terminated on one month's notice in writing on either side.
The firm of Des Benson and Associates have been appointed public relations consultants for the Department of Fisheries and Forestry and the Department of the Gaeltacht at an annual fee of £18,000 per annum (plus VAT) with approved expenses prescribed under normal Civil Service regulations. The firm are engaged on contract for the duration of my term in office as Minister for both Departments but it may be terminated on one month's notice in writing on either side.
The cost to the taxpayer of the four appointments mentioned is £42,615 approximately per annum.
In relation to the special adviser, what is meant by "a part-time appointment"? Is there a minimum number of hours involved?
It is based on three days a week.
What position did Mr. McPartlin hold prior to his appointment in the office of the Minister of State?
I do not have the details of Mr. McPartlin's position prior to his appointment.
Would he be the Mr. Mc Partlin of the Irish Timber Growers' Association?
If the Deputy wishes I can get him the details of the previous job held by Mr. McPartlin.