Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

Does the Tánaiste have a programme manager and is that manager located in the Taoiseach's office, as was the practice under the previous Tánaiste? Has the Taoiseach's former press officer been replaced or, if not, is it intended to replace him? I am aware he is trying to do for the HSE the job he did so well for the Taoiseach.

With regard to the most recent indication by the Taoiseach that 13 staff are employed in his private office and eight in his constituency office, are those figures still correct and, if so, are they not somewhat extravagant? My colleague, Deputy Costello, has one parliamentary assistant, whereas the Taoiseach has an entire infrastructure.

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