Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

231. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to set out the number of special advisers employed, including the new special adviser recently recruited from a company (details supplied), by him; the roles these advisers perform; and the amount they are paid. [50256/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are currently two Special Advisers employed by my Department; the Special Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms. Caitríona Fitzpatrick, and the Special Adviser to the Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr. Paul Fox.

The Special Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is on the Principal Officer salary scale. The Special Adviser to the Minister of State for European Affairs is on the Assistant Principal Officer salary scale. Both of these appointments were made in line with “Instructions to Personnel Officers - Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil” which included “Guidelines on staffing of Ministerial offices” issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

I have recently sought sanction from the Taoiseach to appoint a second Special Adviser to my own office. This appointment will also be in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform instructions.