Written answers

Wednesday, 21 March 2018

Department of Rural and Community Development

Ministerial Staff Data

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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308. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development 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. [13165/18]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My Department was established on 19 July 2017.  I can confirm that the only appointments I have made were two Advisers, details as follows:

1. Press Adviser:

Mr Daniel Rowan was appointed as Press Adviser on 14 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.

2. Special Advisor

Mr Seamus O’ Ceallachain was appointed as Special Adviser to me on 11 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.

I can confirm that the Fine Gael Party does not have its own specific guidelines on fundraising. It  adheres to the SIPO guidelines.

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