John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of persons employed in each of the Ministers of State private offices and their constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office; if he will provide the information in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45060/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently 7 officers in the Private Office of the Minister of State at my Department, 2 of whom are non Civil Servants. The grades of these officers are:

1 Higher Executive Officer/Private Secretary;

1 Executive Officer 3 Clerical Officers;

2 Civilian Drivers (non Civil Servants).

The salary cost of this office in 2008, is anticipated to be in the region of €283,400.

There are currently 4.8 officers in the Constituency Office of the Minister of State at my Department, 2 of whom are non Civil Servants. The grades of these officers are:

1 Personal Assistant (non Civil Servant);

1 Personal Secretary (non Civil Servant);

0.80 Staff Officer;

2 Clerical Officers.

The salary cost of this office in 2008, is anticipated to be in the region of €189,700.

In addition, 2 Executive Officers have been assigned by my Department to the offices of Mr Barry Andrews, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Children and Youth Affairs and of Mr John Moloney, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, Disability Issues and Mental Health. The combined salary cost of these officers in 2008 is anticipated to be in the region of €87,627.

The staffing levels are within the Department of Finance Guidelines for the staffing of the Private and Constituency offices of a Minister and Minister of State. The salaries paid to the Civil Servants are in accordance with the Department of Finance salary scales for the relevant grades. The salaries paid to the non-civil servant staff are in accordance with the Department of Finance Instructions relating to the Appointment of Ministerial Private Office Staff.