Charlie McCreevy
Ceist:20 Mr. McCreevy asked the Minister for Finance the total expenditure in each of the years from 1997 to 1999 on political appointees and ministerial aides; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4000/97]
Written Answers. - Ministerial Appointments.
The only area where expenditure on these staff is estimable with any degree of accuracy is the area of salaries. The annualised 1997 salary cost associated with political appointees to the offices of Ministers and Ministers of State, the Research Unit of the Department of Social Welfare and the Government Press Office would amount to £4,048,331.
As regards 1998 and 1999, the Deputy will appreciate that such appointments will be a matter for the next Government and a new Dáil. On a no policy change basis, the 1998 and 1999 costs would increase by about £100,000 and £200,000 respectively, taking into account the cost of the public service pay provisions of Partnership 2000.