Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Finance the name, title and number of special advisers in his Department between 1 January to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47495/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Finance the details of the annual salaries in cash amount, and not merely in grade level, of special advisers in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47510/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Finance the details of the total cost of pension contributions associated with the retention of special advisers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47525/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 to 119, inclusive, together.

Much of the information sought by the Deputy has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas as is required under Sections 19(4) and 19(7) of the Ethics in Public Office Act (as amended by Section 13 of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001). I have two Special Advisers. This is in compliance with the Guidelines on Staffing of Ministerial Offices, and I am satisfied that service and advice provided to me represents efficient and effective use of Exchequer resources. The position in relation to the Deputy's queries is as follows:

Ms Cathy Herbert: salary €107,485. Ms Herbert is not a member of the civil service pension schemes. Payments not exceeding 11% of her salary are made on her behalf to a pension fund in respect of her superannuation contributions.

Dr Alan Ahearne: salary €135,000. Dr Ahearne is a member of the pension scheme of NUI Galway, from which body he is on secondment to my Department. Payments not exceeding 11% of the difference between his NUIG salary and the additional amount he receives in respect of his current position are made on his behalf to a pension fund in respect of superannuation contributions.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will defend the spend of taxpayers' money on such additional expertise, as provided by special advisers, when resources are scarce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47540/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Special Advisers have been employed by Ministers of successive Governments as set out in section 11 of the Public Service Management Act, 1997. Special Advisers perform an essential function and given challenges we now face their advice is of more value and importance than ever. All Special Advisers will, of course, be subject to the public service pay reductions which I announced in my Budget speech on 9 December, the legislation for which is currently making its way through the Houses of the Oireachtas.