Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 5

Written Answers. - Ministerial Staff.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

322 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the current number of staff broken down by grade employed within the private office and the constituency office in respect of his and each Minister of State within his Department; the current amount paid in respect of each office in terms of salary, overtime and expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16846/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

Of the total staff employed in my private and constituency offices, all but three are established civil servants. The number and grade of staff employed within these offices and in the Minister of State's office in my Department, which are within the guidelines as set out in the Cabinet handbook, is set out in the following tables:

Minister's Office

	Number	Grade
Private Office	1	Private Secretary
	1	Special Adviser
	1	Assistant Principal
	2	Executive Officers
	5	Clerical Officers
Constituency Office	1	Personal Secretary
	1	Personal Assistant
	2	Executive Officers
	2	Clerical Officers
Total	16

The cost of annual salaries for established civil servants in these offices is €342,510. Expenses paid to these staff during the period 6 June 2002 to 13 June 2003 amounted to €6,568 in overtime and €10,652 in respect of travel expenses.

The total cost of annual salaries for non-established staff in these offices is €137,400. Expenses paid to these staff during the period 6 June 2002 to 13 June 2003 amounted to €15,290 in overtime payments and €2,877 in respect of travel expenses.

Ministers of State's Office

	Number	Grade
Private Office	1	Private Secretary
	3	Clerical Officers
Constituency Office	1	Personal Secretary
	2	Clerical Officers
	2	Civilian Drivers
Total	9

The total cost of annual salaries for established civil servants in the Minister of State's offices is €128,340. Expenses paid to these staff during the period 6 June 2002 to 13 June 2003 amounted to €6,244 in respect of travel expenses.

The total cost of annual salaries for non-established staff in the Minister of State's offices is €94,896. Expenses paid to these staff during the period 6 June 2002 to 13 June 2003 amounted to €3,820 in overtime and €18,747 in respect of travel expenses, which includes expenses for two civilian drivers.