Consultancy Contracts.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2006

Thursday, 2 February 2006

Ceisteanna (136)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

132 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of occasions on which he has sought advice from public relations consultancy firms or individuals, media advisers or other non-established civil servants in the past three years; if such advisers are retained on a permanent or per diem basis or otherwise; if such persons have had previous experience with Departments or subsidiary bodies; the rate and basis of remuneration in each case; the departmental headings from which payments were made; the extent to which payments were made under the heading miscellaneous; if reference will be made to same in the case of each Minister of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3782/06]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

In my role as Minister for Social and Family Affairs, I have not sought advice from public relations consultancy firms or individuals. I have appointed a press adviser, who has previous experience in a Department, on a contract basis for my term of office. The salary for this position is €95,003 together with a private pension contribution of 10% of salary. In addition to his salary, the press adviser has been paid travel and subsistence and miscellaneous expenses in respect of the performance of his official duties. In relation to the latter, a financial system upgrade is currently under way and specific details of these payments are not readily available. I will make arrangements to have the information sought forwarded to the Deputy. There is no Minister of State attached to my Department.