Written answers

Wednesday, 29 September 2010

Department of Education and Science

Ministerial Staff

11:00 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 194: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills in respect of the current year in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in her, or if applicable her predecessors', constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency office; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if she will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if she will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32272/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I currently have 6 full time equivalent (FTE) constituency office staff as follows:

1 Personal Assistant;

1 Personal Secretary;

1 Higher Executive Officer;

1 Staff Officer;

1 Clerical Officer;

1 Temporary Clerical Officer.

My predecessor had 5.8 constituency office staff.

The total anticipated annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses for 2010 is €254,000.

The total annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses in 2009 was €262,000.

The total annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses in 2008 was €247,000.

The cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses from 14th June to end June 2007 was €119,000.

The Minister of State attached to this Department has 3.8 (FTE) constituency office staff as follows:

1 Personal Assistant;

1 Personal Secretary;

1 Staff Officer (0.8);

1 Clerical Officer.

The total anticipated annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses for 2010 is €178,000.

The total annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses in 2009 was €198,000.

The total annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses in 2008 was €151,000.

The cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses from 14th June to end June 2007 was €111,000.

These staffing levels are within the Department of Finance Guidelines for the staff 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. Travel and subsistence expenses are paid in accordance with the relevant Department of Finance Circular.

My local constituency office is situated in Donegal town, my predecessor's is in Ballincollig, Co. Cork and my Minister of State's is in Artane, Co. Dublin. As the Deputy will be aware Ministers and Ministers of State avail of the Parliamentary Standard Allowance which is expended in accordance with Oireachtas regulations.

The constituency office accommodation provided to myself and the Minister of State attached to my Department is in the state owned Dublin headquarters of this Department in Marlborough Street. The office space dedicated for this purpose for the period in question is a total 780 square feet approximately. A breakdown of the utility costs for the two offices in question is not available and is included in the overall running costs of the Department.

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