Written answers
Tuesday, 12 February 2019
Department of An Taoiseach
Ministerial Advisers Data
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
108. To ask the Taoiseach the number of advisers and special advisers employed by his Department in 2017 and 2018 and to date in 2019; the areas of expertise covered by such advisers; and the annual salaries associated with same. [6578/19]
Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Details of the Advisers and Special Advisers employed by my Department since I took up office on 14 June 2017 are as follows:
| Name | Role | Start Date | End Date | Salary Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Murphy | Chief of Staff | 14 June 2017 | n/a | Deputy Secretary |
| John Carroll | Head of Policy and Programme Implementation | 05 July 2017 | n/a | Assistant Secretary |
| Patrick Geoghegan | Special Adviser to the Taoiseach | 14 June 2017 | n/a | Assistant Secretary (equivalent) |
| Angela Flanagan | Special Adviser to the Taoiseach | 14 June 2017 | n/a | Principal Officer |
| Philip O'Callaghan | Special Adviser to the Taoiseach | 14 June 2017 | n/a | Principal Officer |
| Clare Mungovan | Special Adviser to the Taoiseach | 08 Jan 2018 | n/a | Principal Officer |
| Jim D'Arcy | Special Adviser to the Taoiseach | 04 Sept 2017 | n/a | Assistant Principal (Higher) |
| Nick Miller | Spokesman and Communications Adviser to the Taoiseach | 14 June 2017 | 31 Oct 2017 | Assistant Secretary |
| Feargal Purcell | Goverment Press Secretary | 14 June 2017 | 31 Oct 2017 | Assistant Secretary |
| Nick Miller | Goverment Press Secretary | 01 Nov 2017 | n/a | Assistant Secretary |
| Sarah Meade | Assistant Goverment Press Secretary | 31 July 2017 | n/a | Principal Officer |
| Catherine Halloran | Deputy Goverment Press Secretary | 14 June 2017 | n/a | Principal Officer |
| Name | Role | Start Date | End Date | Salary Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark O'Doherty | Special Adviser to the Government Chief Whip | 14 June 2017 | 16 October 2018 | Principal Officer |
| Ed Carty | Special Adviser to the Government Chief Whip | 12 March 2018 | 16 October 2018 | Principal Officer |
| Greg Harkin | Special Adviser to the Government Chief Whip | 14 June 2017 | 15 Feb 2018 | Principal Officer |
| Peter Feeney | Special Adviser to the Government Chief Whip | 16 October 2018 | n/a | Principal Officer |
| Peter Harper | Special Adviser to the Government Chief Whip | 16 October 2018 | n/a | Principal Officer |
| Name | Role | Start Date | End Date | Salary Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Williams | Chief Strategist for the Independent Alliance | 14 June 2017 | n/a | Principal Officer |
| Donal Geoghegan | Political Coordinator for Independent Ministers | 14 June 2017 | n/a | Principal Officer |
The Special Advisers working in my office provide briefings and advice on a wide range of policy matters, as well as performing other functions as I may direct from time to time. They also liaise with other Special Advisers in each Government Department so that I am informed on developments across Government.
The Government Press Secretary acts as a spokesperson for me, as Taoiseach, and the Government and is assisted by the Assistant Government Press Secretary in coordinating the media relations of all Government Departments.
The Deputy Government Press Secretary - who is also based in my Department - coordinates communications for all the Independents in Government.
Special Advisers working with Minister of State Helen McEntee and Minister of State Paul Kehoe are employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Department of Defence respectively.
No comments