Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the name and role of advisers, assistants or other staff employed by him since January 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18518/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Since I took up office, I have appointed on a contract basis for my term of office four non-established civil servants, a Special Adviser, Mr. Frank Lahiffe, a Press Adviser, Mr. Tom Rowley, a Personal Secretary, Ms. Mary Browne and a Personal Assistant, Mr. Bobby Holland. All four appointees are employed full-time. The duties carried out by the Advisers (Special Adviser and Press Adviser) attached to my Department are as set out in Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act, 1997 i.e. to assist the Minister by providing advice, on a wide range of issues, by monitoring, facilitating and securing the achievement of Government objectives that relate to my Department and by performing such other functions as may be directed by me. The roles of my Personal Secretary and Personal Assistant are to provide administrative support and back-up in my capacity as a T.D. and in my constituency office. The terms of contract for the above positions are as determined by the Department of Finance and are subject to the Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 to 1996 and any other Act for the time being in force relating to the Civil Service.