Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide full details of all appointments made at his Department since he took up office. [20573/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I appointed Ms Claire Langton as Special Adviser to my office with effect from 10 March 2011 with an annual salary of €80,051 and I am currently arranging for the appointment of a second Special Adviser. In addition, with effect from the 10 March 2011, I appointed a Personal Secretary and Personal Assistant, both with an annual salary of €51,365, and two Civilian Drivers, each with an annual salary of €32,965, were appointed in May 2011.

My colleague, Minister of State Mr Willie Penrose, appointed Mr Aidan Culhane as his Special Adviser on 23 May 2011 with an annual salary of €80,051. In addition, with effect from the 10 March 2011, he appointed a Personal Secretary and Personal Assistant with an annual salary of €47,755 and €52,925 respectively. One Civilian Driver on an annual salary of €32,965 was appointed on 21 March 2011 and a second driver, on the same salary, was appointed on 9 May 2011. There have been no appointments in respect of Minister of State Mr Fergus O'Dowd.

Other appointments made in my Department since March 2011 include a Meteorological Officer with an annual salary of €27,464, Assistant Director of Met Éireann with an annual salary of €94,770, and Meteorologist with an annual salary of €30,218. Also, and subject to sanction from the Department of Finance, a variable number of seasonal staff, mostly based in the National Parks, are recruited annually mainly for guiding and park maintenance work. Responsibility for the heritage function, including the National Parks, has now transferred to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.