Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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289. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the names of advisers he has appointed to his office since becoming Minister; the responsibilities of each; the previous employment of each; the salaries of each; and if he plans to make further additional appointments. [4874/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I have appointed two advisers, details of which are outlined below:

1. Press Adviser:

Mr Daniel Rowan was appointed as Press Adviser on 14th August 2017.  His main responsibilities include the following:

- Provision and oversight of press information and liaison on my behalf (working with the Department’s Press Officer and Press Office staff),

- Liaison, on my behalf, with the Government Press Office (working with the Department’s Press Officer and Press Office staff), and with Department Officials on media aspects of policy;

- Adviser on external communications and publicity on my behalf;

- Focal point, along with Mr Ó Ceallacháin (my Policy Adviser), for political clearance and transmission of speaking and briefing material for all “Order of Business” purposes and circulation of such material to me and to the Minister of State;

- Liaison with team of Media Advisers across Government;

- Clearance of all Ministerial speeches and news releases.

Mr Rowan has previously worked in communications roles in the charity sector, politics, and public sector. Mr Rowan’s salary is at the level of the Principal Officer Standard pay scale, sanctioned at €81,767.

1. Special Advisor

Mr Seamus O’ Ceallachain was appointed as Special Adviser to me on 11th September 2017. Mr Ó Ceallachain's main responsibilities include the following:

- Assisting in the management of my programme of work;

- Liaison, on my behalf, with relevant Units in relation to the Department/Government priorities and timelines for dealing with the stated policies and priorities;

- Attendance at weekly pre-Government meeting of Ministerial Special Advisers;

- Liaison with team of advisers across Government;

- Attendance at relevant Senior Official and Cabinet Committee meetings;

- Focal point, along with Mr Rowan (my Press Adviser), for political clearance and transmission of speaking and briefing material for all “Order of Business” purposes and circulation of such material to me and to the Minister of State;

- Liaison with Secretary General’s Office in regard to the provision of observations on Government Memoranda.

Mr O’ Ceallacháin is seconded from his role as school Principal in Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork.

Mr Ó Ceallacháin’s salary is at the level of the Principal Officer Standard pay scale, sanctioned at €94,521.

I have no plans to appoint any further Special Advisers.