Written answers

Thursday, 8 December 2016

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Ministerial Advisers

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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143. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the role and responsibilities as laid out in guidelines for the position of special adviser to a Minister and Minister of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39198/16]

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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145. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if guidelines exist in relation to the hiring of special advisers by Ministers and Ministers of State; if there is any requirement to advertise the positions; if so, the details of advertisements undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39200/16]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 145 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, Special Advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State are appointed by the Government at the request of a Minister or Minister of State under section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 (1997 Act).

The 1997 Act sets out the general functions assigned to Special Advisers. These include "providing advice to  the Minister, monitoring, facilitating and securing the achievement of Government objectives that relate to the Department, as requested by the Minister, and performing such other functions as may be directed by the Minister, that are not otherwise provided for in the Act and do not involve the exercise of any specific powers conferred on the Minister, or any other office holder by or under any other Act, and be accountable to the Minister in the performance of those functions".

At the commencement of each Dáil, my Department issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices including the permitted staffing levels in the private and constituency offices of Ministers and Ministers of State, and the level of salaries for Ministerial personal appointees to the positions of Special Adviser, Personal Secretary, Personal Assistant and Civilian Driver and the number of appointees permitted.

Ministers and Ministers of State select their own Special Advisers having regard to the advice and other functions required by the Ministers. It is also important to note, having regard to section 11 of the 1997 Act, that the role of Special Adviser is  different from the role of other civil servants.

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