Ministerial Appointments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 April 2011

Tuesday, 12 April 2011

Ceisteanna (273)

Jerry Buttimer

Ceist:

291 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of special advisers appointed in his Department between June 1997 and February 2011; the cost of each special adviser appointed to his office between June 1997 and February 2011; the gender ratio of these appointments between June 1997 and February 2011; the number of appointments to State boards made between June 1997 and February 2011; and the gender ratio of appointments made to State boards between June 1997 and February 2011. [7425/11]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)

I can inform the Deputy that during the period in question a total of 9 Special Advisers (6 male and 3 female) were appointed to 4 Ministers who held office in my Department. Not all of the Special Advisers in question would have served the full term of the Minister. Special Advisers are normally remunerated at Principal Officer level (Standard Scale currently €80,051 — €98,422, Higher Scale currently €85,957 — €105,429).

I also wish to inform the Deputy that the information sought in relation to appointments to State Boards during the period between June 1997 and February 2011 is not readily available and could not be compiled without a disproportionate use of staff resources.