Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 156: To ask the Taoiseach if, in respect of the category of ministerial staff, including those attached to Ministers of State in his Department who not being civil servants but are contracted by him as personal assistant, political adviser, programme manager and press communications advisers, the name of the person; their function; if full-time or part-time employed; the terms of the contract; the level of remuneration, either by hour if part-time or as an annual salary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12355/05]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 157: To ask the Taoiseach if, in respect of each person in the employment of the Ministerial office, including that of Ministers of State attached to his Department as either personal assistant, political adviser, programme manager, and press communications adviser, the cost of travel and maintenance expenses incurred individually by each person by name for the calendar year 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12370/05]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together.

The names, functions, salaries and travel and maintenance expenses of all political appointees in my office and the offices of the Ministers of State at my Department and the Government press secretariat are detailed in the following tabular statement.

These staff are all employed on a full-time basis and those who are civil servants are indicated. Their terms and conditions of employment are laid down under the Public Service Management Act 1997 and all contracts are approved by the Minister for Finance.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 158: To ask the Taoiseach the number of programme managers employed by Cabinet Ministers; the frequency with which they meet; the reporting relationship that exists between them and the Taoiseach and Tánaiste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12461/05]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are two programme managers based in my Department. My programme manager, Mr. Gerry Hickey, is employed on a contract basis in line with the Civil Service Regulation Acts for the duration of the current Government. Ms. Katherine Bulbulia, programme manager to the Tánaiste, is employed on the same basis and is also based in my Department.

The role of the programme managers is to assist in dealing with the complexities and volume of Government business. Their primary function is to ensure effective co-ordination in the implementation of the Government's programme.

The terms of reference and the job description of my programme manager are no different than those of his predecessor in the rainbow Government led by former Deputy John Bruton. My programme manager advises me on a wide range of matters including administrative, business, social, financial and economic issues.

My programme manager meets other ministerial advisers on a weekly basis and reviews the papers for the Government meeting of that week. With his colleagues, he monitors and reports to me on the implementation of the programme for Government.