Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 372: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total amount paid in terms of fees or expenses for the appointment of press or public relations consultants from outside her Department for each year since 2002; the firms appointed and the specific project or responsibility for which they were engaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26976/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not employ press or public relations consultants from outside the Department nor has it done so since 2002.

However, I did appoint a press adviser on a contract basis from 30 September 2004 to 17 February 2005 at an annual salary of €82,066. I am in the process of appointing a press adviser and an employment contract is currently being finalised.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 373: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of political appointees and non-established civil servants appointed to her Department since June 2002; the nature of the post to which each such person is appointed; the annual cost in terms of salaries or expenses in respect of each such post for each year since 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26991/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The following tables give the information requested by the Deputy.

I am currently in the process of appointing a Press Adviser.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of staff broken down by grade employed within the private office and the constituency office; the number of such staff who are permanent civil servants; the number who are political appointees; the annual cost of each such office in terms of salary, overtime and expenses in respect of each Minister of State allocated to her Department. [27006/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The following tables show the breakdown of staff in my two Ministers of State's private and constituency offices.

Expenses since 15th February 2006 are €11,807.36 on appointment as Minister of State.

Overtime since 15th February 2006 totals €4254.18 on appointment as Minister of State

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of staff broken down by grade employed within her private office and her constituency office; the number of such staff who are permanent civil servants; the number who are political appointees; the annual cost of each such office in terms of salary, overtime and expenses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27021/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The following table shows the breakdown of the numbers in my private and constituency office.

I am currently in the process of appointing a Press Adviser and his salary is being negotiated.

The following four staff members are non Civil Servants employed on a contract basis:

Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary and a Temporary Clerical Officer.

Expenses relating to my office since January, 2006 total €5,273.61.

Overtime relating to my office since January, 2006 totals €16,447.05.