Consultancy Contracts.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2006

Thursday, 2 February 2006

Ceisteanna (154)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

150 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of occasions on which she 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 her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3785/06]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

In the past three years, neither I or my predecessor have engaged the services of public relations consultancy firms or individuals. However, I did retain the services of a media adviser from 30 September 2004 to 18 February 2005. He was employed on a contract basis and had previously worked with me in a similar capacity in the Department of Social and Family Affairs. His annual salary during his tenure in my Department was €82,066, the maximum level of the principal officer salary scale at that time. This was paid from my Department's administrative budget — wages and salaries. During the period in question no such advice was obtained by Ministers of State in my Department.