Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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41. To ask the Taoiseach the number of staff in his Department that provide supports for Independent Ministers in Government. [48205/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department, as outlined in the Strategy Statement, provides support services for the Taoiseach and the Government, including the Independent Members of Government, through the Government Secretariat, the Parliamentary Liaison Unit, the Programme for Government Office and the Cabinet Committee structure to ensure Government business is managed to the highest standards.

The Chief Strategist for the Independent Alliance and the Political Coordinator for the Independent Ministers in Government are also based in my Department.

The Government Press Secretary acts as a spokesperson for the Taoiseach and the Government and is assisted by the Press Office in his role of co-ordinating the media relations of all Government Departments. The Deputy Press Secretary, who is also based in my Department, is tasked with coordinating communications for all the Independents in Government .