Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 762: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in relation to the staff employed by the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, on his constituency duties, Government guidelines were breached concerning the number employed; the period during which these guidelines were breached; the number of personnel involved; the cost to his Department of this error; and if it is intended to recoup this money. [1652/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The guidelines on staffing of ministerial offices allows for the employment of a total of five staff in a Minister of State's constituency office. The total number of staff currently employed in the Minister of State's constituency office is five.

My previous reply to the Deputy's Question No. 204 of 1 December 2004 indicated a total of seven staff employed in the constituency office. Since then one clerical officer who was on maternity leave has availed of a career break and another clerical officer has been transferred to another division of the Department. Both of these staff are employed directly by my Department and were in place when the Minister took up duty. Civil Service staff assigned to constituency office duties may be reassigned between divisions from time to time and therefore the question of recoupment of salary does not arise. One of the staff in question who was on maternity leave never attended for duty in the office in the period since the Minister of State took up duty and the other staff member attended for a period of 14 weeks prior to her reassignment to other duties. The temporary overlap which arose in this case facilitated a smooth transition following a change in personnel in the Minister of State's constituency office.