Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 392: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the number of political advisors employed by him or his Department [35879/12]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 393: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the number of political advisors employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35898/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together.

Two political advisers or Special Advisers are employed in my Department.

The number of such advisers employed during each year of my predecessor's term of office is as follows:

2007: 3

2008: 3

2009: 3

2010: 3

2011 (to March): 3

It should be noted that for 2010 and 2011, these figures include a Special Adviser to a Minister of State.

It should also be noted that for a period in 2009-2010, one of the advisers was on maternity leave and a temporary replacement, not counted separately above, was appointed.