Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Whatever we do will be fully in accordance with the relevant 1997 legislation. The rates of pay of any adviser appointed will be governed by that. It is principal officer level for Ministers’ special advisers and assistant principal officer level for any special adviser appointed for a Minister of State. The very issues and policies the Deputy has highlighted underline the need for a really good Government, one that is going to invest in the people, is going to underpin the income supports people have and is going to unveil this week a July stimulus package, which is designed to support employment, to support incomes and to help businesses to try to survive what is an incredibly tough economic period. There will be a huge challenge ahead in trying to implement the objectives in the programme for Government at a time when we are in many respects trying to rebuild our country in the context of the fallout from Covid-19. Special advisers have a role to play but the Deputy has made some valid points and we will certainly take them on board.

See this speech in context