Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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67. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide a schedule of special advisers working in his Department, including a breakdown of those assigned to the offices of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in his role as leader of the Green Party; the roles, responsibilities and salary scale of each. [18843/20]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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70. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide a schedule of all special advisers working in his Department; and the role, responsibilities and salary scale of each. [18845/20]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 70 together.

The persons currently assigned to me to work as Special Advisers are detailed in the table below.

As outlined in the Programme for Government, a number of reforms will be implemented in order to ensure openness and constructive cooperation within government. These include the establishment of an Office of the Tánaiste and an Office of the Leader of the Green Party within the Department of the Taoiseach, located in Government Buildings. The purpose of these offices is to support both the Tánaiste and the Leader of the Green Party in the coordination and implementation of policy within Government.

While the details of the roles and staffing of these offices have not been finalised, it is anticipated that, in addition to civil service support, the Office of the Tánaiste will consist of approximately 5 or 6 Special Advisers and the Office of the Leader of the Green Party will consist of approximately 4 or 5 Special Advisers. Appointments to these offices will be made in line with the Public Service Management Act, 1997.

It should be noted that all appointments are subject to formal Government approval and relevant contracts will be laid before the Oireachtas in due course. All appointments will be made in line with the Public Service Management Act, 1997.

Office of the Taoiseach