Consultancy Contracts.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2004

Wednesday, 31 March 2004

Ceisteanna (218)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

218 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 505 of 17 February 2004, the name, rank, status and salary of each person employed by her in an advisory, PR or consultative capacity since her appointment; if such persons report to established civil servants; the names, function and role of their previous employers and their annual salary while employed by them; if the advisory, consultative or PR positions were publicly advertised; if so, the channels through which; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10314/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

Since I took up office, I have appointed a special adviser and a press adviser. Both these positions are accountable to my office.

From June 2002 until he resigned on 30 April 2003, I retained the services of a special adviser, Mr. Mel Cousins, who had been appointed by my predecessor, the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern. Mr. Cousins was employed on a contract basis. The salary for this position in 2003 was the maximum point of the principal higher scale, €83,465. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Cousins was a self-employed social policy consultant.

Ms Helen Faughnan, a civil servant in my Department, was appointed as special adviser on 2 June 2003. Ms Faughnan is an assistant principal on principal officer duties. The annual pay scale for principal officer standard scale is €69,194 to €85,589.

I have also appointed, on a contract basis for my term of office, a press adviser, Mr. Tom Reddy, with effect from 31 July 2002. The current salary for this position is the maximum point of the principal standard scale, €80,457. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Reddy was employed in the Fianna Fáil press office. Neither of these posts was publicly advertised.