Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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134. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of part-time and full-time media advisers employed in his Department; the Civil Service grade of each media adviser; and the cost over a full year of employing all such advisers. [31248/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has a dedicated Communications Unit that employs 19 Civil Servants covering, inter alia, press relations and public outreach. In addition there are currently two Special Advisors employed by my Department who, along with other duties, advise on media matters. Mr. Chris Donoghue is my Special Advisor and Communications Director. Mr. Donoghue is employed at Principal Officer grade and is on the Principal Officer salary scale.

Mr. Paul Fox is Special advisor to the Minister of State for European Affairs. His role includes providing advice on media matters. Mr. Fox is employed at Assistant Principal Officer grade and is on the Assistant Principal Officer salary scale.

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.