Ministerial Adviser Appointments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (1892, 1943)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1892. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the number and names of all special advisers, special press advisers, or any other type of ministerial adviser in his Department; the name of the Minister / Minister of State to whom he reports; the salary of each adviser now; the salary of each adviser at the time they were appointed; if any salary increase was asked for; if this was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37501/12]

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1943. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the names of special advisers for whom salary increases have been requested; the amount requested; the details of those granted increases and the amount by which they were increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40027/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1892 and 1943 together.

Mr Brian Murphy is my Special Adviser. His salary is €105,837 which is an increase from €80,051 granted on an exceptional basis as provided for the in the government decision on salary scales for special advisers, as he came from a position in the private sector in which he was considerably better paid than now.

Mr. Nick Miller, my Press Adviser, is on an incremental salary scale. He is on a current salary of €83,337, which is the second pay point of the Principal Officer salary scale.  His salary on appointment was €80,051. No salary increase was requested.

In addition, in lieu of appointing a Personal Assistant, I appointed Mr John Carroll as a Policy Adviser. Mr Carroll is on the same grade as a Personal Assistant and his salary is €48,520. No salary increase was requested.

Minister Ring is advised by Mr. Paul Mc Grath. His appointment is on a pro bono basis.