Ministerial Advisers

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020

Tuesday, 21 July 2020

Ceisteanna (454)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

454. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of advisers and special advisers appointed by her since becoming Minister; the starting annual salary of each person appointed by her; if an open interview process was conducted for each appointee; the duration and terms of each contract issued to each adviser and special adviser; and if an advisory role has been split to facilitate job sharing in tabular form. [16562/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

On the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil are currently awaiting Government approval.

It should be noted that the appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government. However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned two Special Advisers to work with me, a Special Adviser on policy and a Press Adviser, and these persons will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.