Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of special advisers his Department has had since June 2007; the names of same; the amount each has claimed in expenses in each of the past three years; the amount that has been spent on travel, including foreign travel, and entertainment for each adviser in each of the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26598/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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There have been three Special Advisors employed in my Department over the period since June 2007. Ms Cathy Herbert was appointed Special Advisor by my predecessor on 14 June 2007 and held the position up to 6 May 2008. I appointed Mr Ciarán Ó Cuinn (Programme Manager) and Mr Richard Moore (Press Advisor) on 7 May 2008. Special Advisors are entitled to claim travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with relevant Department of Finance Circulars, the details of which are considered personal to the individuals concerned. They are not entitled to individual entertainment allowances.