Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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372. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the political advisers used by Ministers and Ministers of State in her Department since the commencement of this Government; the commencement and cessation dates in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47960/19]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Following my appointment as Minister on 30 November 2017, I appointed two Special Advisers as provided for by the Public Services Management Act 1997.  Mr. John Keogh was appointed from the 8 January 2018 and Mr. Cian Connaughton from the 15 March 2018, both of whom continue to serve in my Department.

My immediate predecessor, Minister Heather Humphreys T.D., appointed two Special Advisers, Mr. Pauric McPhillips and Ms. Sarah Meade, on 14 June 2017.  Ms. Meade ceased employment on 31 July 2017. Ms. Lucy Moylan, was appointed Special Advisor on 18 September 2017.  Both Mr. McPhillips and Ms. Moylan ceased employment in November 2017.

For completeness, I would point out that Seán Kyne T.D., Minister of State at my Department also holds responsibilities at the Department of An Taoiseach.  Joe McHugh T.D. was Minister of State in my Department from the commencement of this Government to October 2018 and also had responsibilities at the Department of An Taoiseach.  In these cases, the Department of An Taoiseach is the lead Department for the purposes of recording and accounting for the matters that are the subject of the Deputy’s Question. 

All of the above appointments are made in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Instructions to Personnel Officers – Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil, which is available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's website.