Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 134: To ask the Taoiseach the number of people he and his Minister of State have appointed to work with them; the number located in their constituency offices and in their Department; the responsibility of each; the rank, salary scale and name in each case; if they are elected to city, county, town or borough councils; if they are members of State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40598/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following table.

The responsibilities of the staff listed in the table are as follows. Under the direction of the Programme Manager, the primary function of the Special Advisers is to monitor, facilitate and help secure the achievement of Government objectives and to ensure effective coordination in the implementation of the Programme for Government.

They are also tasked with giving me advice and keeping me informed on a wide range of issues, including business, financial, economic, political, environmental, administrative and media matters and performing such other functions as may be directed by me from time to time. In addition, a number of my advisers have specific responsibilities in relation to speech drafting.

My Programme Manager meets other Ministerial Advisers on a weekly basis. He monitors and reports to me on progress in implementing the Programme for Government.

I also appointed four non-established Civil Servants to the Government Chief Whip two of whom are based in his Private Office and two in his Finglas Constituency Office, (these are work sharers). I appointed Mr. Pádraig Slyne as Special Adviser to the Government Chief Whip.

In addition, I appointed Mr. Eoghan O Neachtain as Government Press Secretary. The two Deputy Government Press Secretaries, Mr. Mark Costigan and Mr. John Downing, while they are members of staff of my Department, report to Minister Harney and Minister Gormley respectively. These are supported by two non-established Civil Servants.

The Government Press Secretary and Press Officers provide an information service on Government policy to the public through the national and international media on behalf of myself, my Department and the Government, together with promoting a co-ordinated approach to media matters across all Government Departments. The central task of the Deputy Government Press Secretaries is to assist the Government Press Secretary in communicating to the media the decisions of Government.

The Personal Assistants/Personal Secretaries in my Department have a range of duties including providing administrative assistance in the Constituency Office, Protocol Division and the Government Chief Whip's Office.

The Green Party Programme Manager, based in Government Buildings, is not a member of staff of my Department, while the PD Programme Manager, Oliver O'Connor is a staff member of my Department.

All appointments made by me comply with relevant legislation including the terms of the Civil Service (Regulation) Act, 2006 and with the relevant directions on Ministerial Staff appointments of the Department of Finance.

One member of staff in my Constituency Office in Tullamore is a Councillor with the Tullamore Town Council.