Written answers

Wednesday, 16 December 2009

Department of Agriculture and Food

Ministerial Staff

11:00 pm

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [47487/09]

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [47502/09]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 317 together.

There are three Special Advisors employed in my Department. Their details are as follows:-

NameTitleAnnual Salary
Dermot RyanSpecial Advisor to Minister Brendan Smith€116,142.91
Philip HannonMedia Advisor to Minister Brendan Smith€99,845.46
Stiofán NuttySpecial Advisor to Minister of State Trevor Sargent€102,439.22

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [47517/09]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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A total of €21,226.91 was paid to 2 special advisers (Media Advisor to Minister Smith and Special Advisor to Minister of State Sargent) by way of contributions towards their pensions for 2009.

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [47532/09]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I am satisfied that expenditure on special advisors in my Department represents good value for money. In each case, special advisors employed by my Department are remunerated in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Department of Finance.

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