Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 2

Written Answers. - Special Advisers.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

377 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the amount paid since 26 June 1997 to date in fees, salary, allowances including delegates' allowances, expenses and other payments to any person in or under the aegis of his Department who is or was a special adviser within the meaning of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995; the name of the person in each case, the amount paid to each person; if he will provide a breakdown as between salary, allowances, expenses and other payments; the date on which each person was appointed; in the case of persons no longer holding such position, the date on which the appointment ceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9938/02]

When I took office, I did not appoint a programme manager, something which was present prior to my coming to office, which meant a cost saving to the Exchequer in respect of salary of about €58,408 per annum, quite apart from the attendant ancillary costs. Nor has there been a five person policy unit during my current tenure as Minister, something which was present prior to my coming into office, at a salary cost saving of about €120,625 per annum, quite apart from the attendant ancillary costs.

I have appointed one special adviser who is employed on a contract for the duration of my current tenure as Minister. Mr. Mel Cousins, special adviser, was appointed on 1 September 1997. A yearly breakdown of his salary is as follows:

01/09/97 – 31/03/98

£26,495.57

01/04/98 – 31/03/99

£46,716.35

01/04/99 – 31/03/00

£47,501.77

01/04/00 – 31/03/01

£52,576.25

01/04/01 – 31/12/01

£40,941.02

01/01/02 to date

€17,036.00

In addition to what I have outlined he has also been paid €4,973.30 in travel and subsistence and €69.20 in other payments.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

378 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the amount paid since 26 June 1997 to date in fees, salary, allowances, including delegates' allowances, expenses and other payments to any person including a body corporate or an unincorporated body of persons in or under the aegis of his Department, who is or was a consultant, or was a person performing functions normally performed or capable of being performed by permanent civil servants or special advisers, but who was neither a permanent civil servant nor a special adviser within the meaning of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995; the name of the person in each case; the amount paid to each person; if he will provide a breakdown as between salary, allowances, expenses and other payments; the date on which each person was appointed; in the case of persons no longer holding such position, the date on which the appointment ceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9953/02]

No amount has been paid by my Department to date in salary, allowances, etc., to any such person referred to in the Deputy's question. With regard to fees paid to consultants, the detailed information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.

Barr
Roinn