Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of special advisors appointed to him since his appointment as Minister; if he will tabulate their annual salaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36591/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I have appointed two special advisers since I was appointed Minister for Education and Science, one a Civil Servant and the other a non-Civil Servant. The annual salaries paid to the two officers are €104,005 and €86,168 respectively. These two appointments and the salaries paid to the two officers are in accordance with the Department of Finance Instructions relating to the Appointment of Ministerial Private Office Staff.

The Deputy should note that the number of political appointments made by me to my staff is four, compared to five appointments made by the Minister for Education 1992-1997. In addition, the Minister of State at my Department does not have a special adviser, in contrast with the arrangements under the Rainbow Government, whereby the Minister of State 1995-97 had a special adviser.