Written answers

Wednesday, 21 March 2018

Department of Defence

Ministerial Staff Data

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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168. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of each non-Civil Service appointment he has made to a role in his Department; the persons appointed; the role, qualifications and salary of each; and the guidelines that apply in respect of party political fundraising. [13156/18]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Since becoming Minister for Defence, I have made no non-civil service appointments to my Department.

Two Special Advisers were recruited directly and are classed as unestablished Civil Servants.  The provisions of Paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2 of the code of Conduct for Civil Servants concerning restrictions on political activity, do not apply to holders of such roles.

Civilian employees are also recruited by my Department on an ongoing basis and are employed at various military installations throughout the country to support the Defence Forces in tasks such as the upkeep and maintenance of military infrastructure and equipment. The grades are spread across a wide spectrum and also include specialists such as healthcare professionals and technicians.  Appointments are made following open competition and with the approval of the Minister.

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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169. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of each non-Civil Service appointment he has made to a role in his Department; the persons appointed; the role, qualifications and salary of each; and the guidelines that apply in respect of party political fundraising. [13160/18]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There are a number of categories of staff in my Department who work for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and who are not established civil servants. They are Special Advisors, civilian drivers, local staff overseas and temporary Clerical Officers.

I have appointed four Special Advisers in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

- Ms. Caitríona Fitzpatrick is my Special Adviser and Political Director. She was previously a Special Adviser in my role as Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

- Mr. Matthew Lynch is my Special Adviser on Cabinet, Oireachtas and Leader’s Questions. He was previously in the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation as Special Advisor to Ms. Frances Fitzgerald TD in her then role as Tánaiste.

- Mr. Chris Donoghue is my Special Adviser and Communications Director. He was previously employed as Political Editor of the Communicorp group of radio stations and before that as a presenter on Newstalk.

The Special Adviser to the Minister of State for European Affairs is Mr. Paul Fox, who was previously employed as a Client Manager with PR 360 and before that as Adviser to Mr. Paudie Coffey TD at the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government.

My Special Advisers are 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.

In addition, I have appointed four civilian drivers to the Department who work with the Ministers of State. Civilian drivers are paid €650.92 per week.

All 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.

Every appointment in my Department is subject to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.

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