Ministerial Adviser Appointments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (967)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

967. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources 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 advisor now; the salary of each advisor 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. [37489/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

There are two Special Advisers, Mr Finbarr O’Malley and Mr Simon Nugent, employed in my Department. Both were appointed by the Government, on my behalf, with effect from 28 March 2011 and 11 April 2011 respectively. My Department requested sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to appoint my Special Advisers at salary rates commensurate with their previous remuneration. Sanction was granted to appoint Mr O’Malley at a salary rate of €83,337 per annum and Mr Nugent at a salary rate of €97,200 per annum. Mr O’Malley was awarded an increment on the Principal Officer Standard pay scale with effect from 28 March 2012, following one year’s satisfactory performance in the post, bringing his current salary to €86,604. This is line with the terms of his appointment. Mr Nugent’s salary has not increased as it is not linked to a pay scale and the awarding of increments does not apply in his case.