Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of persons employed in his private office and his constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of the Ministers of State in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46376/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently 8 officers in my Private Office as follows:

2 Special Advisors, one of whom has responsibility for press and communications;

1 Higher Executive Officer;

2 Executive Officers;

3 Clerical Officers.

Their total annual salaries in 2009 are approximately €445,766 and their expenses to date in 2009 are €17,276.

There are currently 4.8 officers in my Constituency Office as follows:

1 Personal Assistant;

1 Personal Secretary;

1 Higher Executive Officer;

0.80 Staff Officer;

1 Clerical Officer.

Their total annual salaries in 2009 are approximately €178,344 and nil expenses to date in 2009.

There are currently 7 officers in the Private Office of the Minister of State at my Department as follows:

1 Higher Executive Officer/Private Secretary

1 Executive Officer

3 Clerical Officers

2 Civilian Drivers

Their total annual salaries in 2009 are approximately €285,713 and their expenses to date in 2009 are €11,950.

There are currently 3.8 officers in the Constituency Office of the Minister of State at my Department as follows:

1 Personal Assistant

Personal Secretary

0.80 Staff Officer

1 Clerical Officer

Their total annual salaries in 2009 are approximately €169,632 and their expenses to date in 2009 are €13.71.

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. Their total annual salaries in 2009 are approximately €87,627.

The above 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.