I have appointed the following staff since I was appointed Minister for Education and Science:
Ms. Deirdre McDonnell, Special Adviser — located in my Department (Salary Scale: €90,702 – €113,141);
Mr. Bernard Mallee, Special Adviser (with responsibility for press and communications) — located in my Department (Salary Scale: €86,168 –€107,485);
Ms. Katherine Woods, Personal Assistant — located in my constituency (Salary Scale: €46,558 – €55,030);
Ms. Mary O'Keeffe, Personal Secretary — located in my constituency (Salary Scale: €30,566 – €50,410).
The Minister of State at my Department has appointed the following staff since his appointment:
Ms. Catherine Ward, Personal Assistant — located in the Department of Education and Science (Salary Scale: €46,558 – €55,030);
Mr. Niall Haughey, Personal Secretary — located in the Minister of States office in his constituency (Salary Scale: €30,566 – €50,410);
Mr. Joe Ryan and Mr. Martin Vaughan as Civilian Drivers (€667.43 per week) based in the Department of Education and Science.
The salaries paid to non-civil servant staff are in accordance with the Department of Finance Instructions relating to the Appointment of Ministerial Private Office Staff.
None of these staff have been elected to city, county, town or borough councils or are members of State Boards.