The total cost of unestablished civil servants employed on a contract basis and attached to my office from December 1994 to the end of December 1996 was £172,697. In addition, the total cost from November 1995 to the end of December 1996 of the staff of the research unit attached to my office was £100,893. These costs include salaries, allowances, overtime, employer's PRSI and superannuation.
I have no public relations staff working on my behalf. I have no function in relation to the Government Information Service, an office which is under the aegis of the Taoiseach's Department.
The function of personal advisory staff is to assist me in discharging my responsibilities as a public representative and a holder of Government office in a Department of State with responsibility for delivery of social welfare services to the public. The research unit provides research, analysis and advice on policy issues which arise outside my departmental responsibilities as one of three party leaders in Government.