Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I recall the appointment of what were then known as programme managers back in the rainbow Government's time. By and large, that system streamlined work going into the Cabinet where there might have been differences of opinion or a range of views being expressed by different Ministers, particularly when a number of parties constituted the Government. It had a streamlining effect on putting business through.

I did not catch the Taoiseach's answer to the question on advisers having to leave for some reason or other. It may be as a result of tragic circumstances or perhaps somebody wants to leave for a different job. Is there a facility to reappoint or is such a vacancy subject to the embargo?

I understand that the Department of Health and Children came second to the Department of the Taoiseach with a spend of €514,000 on advisers in 2008. When I asked this question of the previous Taoiseach, he always said that in this case the advisers are paid through the Department of the Taoiseach because the Minister, Deputy Mary Harney, was the leader of a minority party in Government. That is no longer the case, however, as she is effectively an Independent Deputy. Therefore, the adviser or programme manager involved remains in the Department of Health and Children, but is paid for by the Department of the Taoiseach. The title has been changed to that of a special adviser with responsibility for health and children. What is the justification now for having a special adviser to the Minister for Health and Children paid for through the Department of the Taoiseach when the Minister involved is no longer the leader of a minority party in Government? That was the justification given for it on so many occasions in the past. Does this not amount purely to a presentation of massaged figures to avoid a situation where the Minister for Health and Children continues to have exorbitant moneys for running her Department?

Is there a reason this set of advisers is paid for by the taxpayer through the Department of the Taoiseach when its function pertains to the Minister for Health and Children? There is no longer any justification for this given that the Minister for Health and Children is no longer the leader of a minority party in government. The cost in 2008 was €514,000. One would build another school for that amount.

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