There are no consultants attached to my office or that of the Minister of State.
I have one special adviser, who is a civil servant. There is one post of special adviser to the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Joan Burton, which is filled by two people on a share basis.
The function of personal advisory staff is to assist me and the Minister of State in discharging our responsibilities as public representatives and holders of Government Office in a Department of State with responsibility for delivery of social welfare services to the public.
My partnership programme manager is a civil servant with extensive relevant experience in the Department of Social Welfare. Prior to her present appointment she was head of information and research at principal officer level with the Pensions Board. The partnership programme manger assists in managing and co-ordinating the achievement of the Government's objectives which are set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The partnership programme manager provides administrative back-up to my office to assist in the achievement of these objectives and regularly reviews progress. The estimated cost for 1994 is £110,000. This includes civil servants.