Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 1289: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of civil servants and other staff employed in his constituency office; and the grade and remuneration of each. [1744/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The following are the details regarding the staff currently employed in my Constituency Office:

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 1290: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of civil servants and other staff in his press office and the grade and remuneration of each staff member. [1759/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The details of staff currently serving in my Press Office are:

There is also one Media Advisor, a Non Civil Servant, paid at Principal Officer scale (€80,408-€99,457 Standard Scale). The role of the Press Office is to act as a support service to the Minister, Minister of State and the Department, and to provide a bilingual information service to public, media, internal and professional customers about the work of the Department. The Press Office is headed by an AO, who reports to the Minister's Media Advisor. The staff of the Press office: prepare / write / edit and issue Press Releases about the Ministers' and the Department's work, and organise press briefings, media events and photocalls; provide a bilingual information service to public, media, internal and professional customers; respond to queries by phone, email, fax and letter; provide a news monitoring service for the Minister and Minister of State and Department; co-ordinate and prepare Ministerial speeches; establish and maintain good relationships with journalists and Government Information Service; assist with the maintenance of the Departmental website; facilitate information sharing within the Department.

This office acts as a 'first port of call' for many queries both within and outside the Department's remit. General queries and requests for publications are dealt with immediately. Additional information is sought on more complex issues from the appropriate officer and in some cases the caller is referred to that officer. The office disseminates information on the work of the Department through the Departmental newsletter, press releases and by preparing articles and information for magazines, newsletters and other publications.