Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 1996

Vol. 463 No. 3

Written Answers. - Ministerial Staff.

Dermot Ahern

Ceist:

395 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of persons employed in the constituency office and the private office by him and the Minister(s) of State at his Department; the rank of each person; their salaries; the functions of the constituency office and the private office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6453/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

Staffing:

Office of the Minister

Grade	Salary p.a. (including allowances)
General Office
1 HEO	£28,394
2 EO	£29,035
5 CO (includes 2 job-sharers)	£58,561
2 CA	£22,191
2 CA/T	£24,974
1 Special Adviser	£43,752
1 Personal Assistant	£19,145
Constituency Office, Wexford
1 Personal Secretary	£11,413
Total Staff: 15

Office of the Minister of State

Grade	Salary p.a. (including allowances)
General Office
1 HEO	£29,616
2 EO	£36,359
2 CO	£27,461
3 CA	£36,086
1 CA/T	£13,240
1 Special Adviser	£32,315
Constituency Office, County Kerry
1 Personal Assistant	£14,682
1 Personal Secretary	£16,698
Total Staff: 12

In the general offices staff are not formally assigned to constituency and other duties. The situation varies from day to day in each office and staff carry out appropriate duties as the need arises.

The function of the general office is to provide the necessary services for myself and the Minister of State in our rolesvis-à-vis the Department, the public, other Departments, the Oireachtas, the agri-food industry and our constituencies generally. The function of the constituency office staff is to provide necessary services from myself and the Minister of State to the general public and our constituencies.