Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 15 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 5

Written Answers. - Ministerial Appointees.

Ray Burke

Ceist:

34 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the names and remuneration of special advisers, programme managers and consultants employed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11075/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 66 of 7 June 1995 in which I gave details of special advisers and programme managers engaged by me in the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Tánaiste.

In 1995 the Department of Foreign Affairs has employed the following consultants: Mr. Dennis Driscoll has been employed as Consultant with the legal division. His salary costs to date since 1 January 1995, inclusive of PRSI, amount to £25,536; Mr. Declan Fitzgerald has been retained to assist in the technical aspects associated with the introduction of a new computerised financial management system. The cost of his consultancy fees and withholding tax since 1 January 1995 amount to £7,800; and Ms Mairead Mullaney was appointed to upgrade the Department's library. The total cost of her fees and withholding tax amounted to £4,000.

Under the Irish Aid Programme, a number of consultants are employed on a short term basis to assist the audit and evaluation unit of the Department to carry out reviews on aid projects. The rate for consultancy fees is on average £250 per day. Consultants carrying out field trips are entitled to claim expenses at current departmental rates.

The Office of the Tánaiste recently engaged consultants, Fitzpatrick and Associates, to carry out research on matters relating to long term unemployment, on behalf of the Task Force on Long-Term Unemployment which is chaired by the assistant secretary in the office. The total cost of the research is in the order of £25,000 including value added tax.