Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 29 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 4

Written Answers. - Aer Rianta.

Tony Killeen

Ceist:

85 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the number of Aer Rianta employees in each of the three airports; the number in corporate headquarters in Aer Rianta Ireland and in the Great Southern Hotels; the number in any ancillary sections; the reasons for increased staffing (8%) and salaries (18%) in 1999; where the increased staff numbers are employed; and whether other emoluments referred to in the report of 1999 relate to directors' expenses or other outgoings. [18813/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

In 1999, the Aer Rianta Group employed a total of 3,341 staff. A breakdown is provided in the following schedule.

I am advised by Aer Rianta that staff numbers increased between 1998 and 1999 due to increased levels of business, new facilities coming on stream and significantly increased passenger numbers. The increased staff numbers are mainly employed in the principal service areas such as security, cleaning and catering.

The increase in staff numbers accounts for almost half of the increase in payroll costs and the balance is accounted for principally by the application of pay increases, increments and as a result of the 24 hour opening of Cork Airport since March of last year. The other emoluments referred to in the 1999 annual accounts do not relate to directors' expenses.

Aer Rianta Employees

Dublin Airport	1,345
Shannon Airport	706
Cork Airport	153
Group Services	217
Great Southern Hotels	717
Aer Rianta International	203