I currently have 6 full time equivalent (FTE) constituency office staff as follows:
1 Personal Assistant;
1 Personal Secretary;
1 Higher Executive Officer;
1 Staff Officer;
1 Clerical Officer;
1 Temporary Clerical Officer.
My predecessor had 5.8 constituency office staff.
The total anticipated annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses for 2010 is €254,000.
The total annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses in 2009 was €262,000.
The total annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses in 2008 was €247,000.
The cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses from 14th June to end June 2007 was €119,000.
The Minister of State attached to this Department has 3.8 (FTE) constituency office staff as follows:
1 Personal Assistant;
1 Personal Secretary;
1 Staff Officer (0.8);
1 Clerical Officer.
The total anticipated annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses for 2010 is €178,000.
The total annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses in 2009 was €198,000.
The total annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses in 2008 was €151,000.
The cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses from 14th June to end June 2007 was €111,000.
These staffing levels are within the Department of Finance Guidelines for the staff of the Private and Constituency offices of a Minister and Minister of State. The salaries paid to the Civil Servants are in accordance with the Department of Finance salary scales for the relevant grades. The salaries paid to the non-civil servant staff are in accordance with the Department of Finance Instructions relating to the Appointment of Ministerial Private Office Staff. Travel and subsistence expenses are paid in accordance with the relevant Department of Finance Circular.
My local constituency office is situated in Donegal town, my predecessor's is in Ballincollig, Co. Cork and my Minister of State's is in Artane, Co. Dublin. As the Deputy will be aware Ministers and Ministers of State avail of the Parliamentary Standard Allowance which is expended in accordance with Oireachtas regulations.
The constituency office accommodation provided to myself and the Minister of State attached to my Department is in the state owned Dublin headquarters of this Department in Marlborough Street. The office space dedicated for this purpose for the period in question is a total 780 square feet approximately. A breakdown of the utility costs for the two offices in question is not available and is included in the overall running costs of the Department.