Written answers
Monday, 9 September 2024
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Departmental Staff
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
50.To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of political staff employed in his Department, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, drivers and other relevant positions; the number of civil or public service staff seconded to work within his Department or constituency offices; the salaries and job titles of each such person; the duty or role of each, in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34914/24]
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
51.To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a list of the names of each special adviser employed by his Department since 2020; the Minister and Minister of State whom each adviser is associated with, and their respective salaries, in tabular form; the areas of expertise covered by such advisers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34932/24]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together.
The following advisers have been employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs over the period 2020 to present:
| - | Special Adviser | Minister | Salary Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 – 2022 | Chris Donoghue | Minister Simon Coveney | Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
| 2020 – 2022 | Laura McGonigle | Minister Simon Coveney | Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
| 2020 | Paul Fox | Minister of State Helen McEntee | Assistant Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
| 2020 - 2022 | Charlotte Simpson | Minister of State Thomas Byrne | Assistant Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
| 2020 – 2020 | Noel Lynch | Minister of State Thomas Byrne | Assistant Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
| 2020 – 2021 (Temporary basis) | Marguerite O’Loughlin | Minister of State Thomas Byrne | Assistant Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
| 2022 - 2022 | Daniel Griffin | Minister of State Thomas Byrne | Assistant Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
| 2022 – present | Gráinne Weld | Tánaiste and Minister Micheál Martin | Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
| 2023 – present | Sharon McGowan | Tánaiste and Minister Micheál Martin | Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
| 2022 – 2024 | Laura Mannion | Minister of State Peter Burke | Assistant Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
| 2023 – present | Eoin Delaney | Minister of State Sean Fleming | Assistant Principal PPC Scale |
| 2024 – present | Stephen Foley | Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill | Assistant Principal PPC Scale |
The Special Advisers working in the Department of Foreign Affairs engage on a wide range of policy matters as well as performing other functions as directed from time to time. They also liaise with Special Advisers in other Government Department. The appointment of Special Advisers are made in line with the Public Service Management Act, 1997 and are subject to Government approval.
In addition, staff as set out in the table that follows have been seconded or appointed to work in the Department of Foreign Affairs in the period in question. Appointments are made in line with civil service guidelines on Ministerial appointments.
Ministers’ Offices
| Year | Role | Minister | Salary Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 – present | Private Secretary (Seconded from Department of Education) | Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora | Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale and Private Secretary Allowance |
| 2022 – present | Constituency Office Manager | Constituency Officer of Tánaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin | Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale |
Civilian Drivers
| Minister of State | Number of civilian drivers employed | Salary Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Minister of State Ciaran Cannon | 2 | Civilian Driver PPC |
| Minister of State Helen McEntee | 2 | Civilian Driver PPC |
| Minister of State Thomas Byrne | 2 | Civilian Driver PPC |
| Minister of State Colm Brophy | 3 | Civilian Driver PPC |
| Minister of State Peter Burke | 2 | Civilian Driver PPC |
| Minister of State Sean Fleming | 2 | Civilian Driver PPC |
| Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill | 2 | Civilian Driver PPC |
No comments