Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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295. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs 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. [47958/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Following the formation of the 32nd Government, I was appointed as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on the 6th May. There are no Ministers of State in my Department.

In accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform instructions on the staffing of Ministerial Offices, I appointed two Special Advisers who took up appointment on the 16th May 2016 and the 10th June 2016 respectively. Both of these Special Advisers were re-appointed to their positions as my Special Advisers on the 14th June 2017 when Mr Leo Varadker T.D assumed the office of Taoiseach.

The Special Adviser who originally took up appointment on the 16th May 2016 is still in post while the Special Adviser who originally took up appointment on the 10th June 2016 resigned from the post with effect from the 10th June 2019. I appointed the replacement Special Adviser on the 10th July 2019 and they continue in the post to date.