Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Health the changes he has made or proposes to make in the configuration of his special advisers; the names, roles and functions of his special advisers; the number that are part-time and full-time; their remuneration and their previous roles, if any, within his Department and or the Health Service Executive or Health Boards and any pension payments they receive in that capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12007/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Since taking up office I have appointed two advisers, Mr Mark Costigan as Press Adviser and Mr Sean Faughnan as Special Adviser, both on the Principal Officer (Standard) salary level. Mr. Faughnan is paid at the minimum of the Principal Officer (Standard) scale, currently €80,051 and separate sanction was received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for the appointment of Mr. Costigan on the fifth point of that scale, €92,672. Before his appointment Mr Costigan was the Deputy Government Press Secretary from September 2005 until the last general election. Prior to that he was the political editor of Today FM. Mr. Faughnan worked as a financial analyst for a number of years in London. More recently he was an advisor to the present Taoiseach while in opposition.

Mr. Faughnan has indicated to me his intention to reduce his work commitment from full time to one-third time. It is my intention to appoint Ms Maureen Windle, ex-Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Area Health Board on a two-thirds time basis, and one salary will accordingly be divided between the two individuals pro-rata in line with the time worked. Mr. Faughnan and Ms Windle will share the advisory role on the strategic health reform aspects of the Programme for Government as well as having responsibility for other tasks, including parliamentary issues.

Mr. Costigan deals with a wide range of press enquiries from both the national and local media and from specialised health publications and works closely with the Department across a broad range of communications activities..

Ms Windle is in receipt of a Public Service pension from her previous employment. Upon taking up appointment as my Adviser, she will be subject to standard public service pension abatement rules.

Mr. Faughnan has not had a previous role in this Department, the Health Service Executive or a Health Board.

While Mr. Costigan was answerable to former Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney, his role was as Deputy Government Press Secretary, based in Government Buildings. He has not had a previous role in the Health Service Executive or a Health Board.