Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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142. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of communications staff currently employed in his Department; the cost of these staff for 2022; the expected cost for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8701/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department’s Communications Unit is led by a Head of Communications at Principal Officer level. There are five press office staff, including one vacancy, five staff working on campaigns and digital communications, and four staff who work on internal communications.

A breakdown by grade, number in the grade, the start and end points of the appropriate pay-scales at October 2022, March 2023 and the percentage increased annualised basic salaries for public servants on 1 October 2023, are set out in the table below:

(*) Circular 19-22: Application of pay adjustments due on 2 February and 1 October 2022: www.gov.ie/en/circular/0d4cf-192022-february-2nd-and-october-1st-2022/

(**) Circular 02-23: Application of March Pay Adjustment www.gov.ie/en/circular/64f5a-circular-02-2023-application-of-1-march-pay-adjustment/

(***) Press Release indicating endorsement by public service unions of extension to Building Momentum pay Agreement: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/557c4-minister-mcgrath-welcomes-strong-endorsement-by-public-service-unions-of-extension-to-building-momentum-pay-agreement/

(****) The Executive Officer cohort of staff includes a member of staff in the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland and also a member of staff in the Workplace Relations Commission who is responsible for communications related activities on a part-time basis.