Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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549. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to list the composition of his private office, inclusive of the grade and increment of each civil servant assigned to their office; whether they are located in the private or constituency office; the value of any allowance paid to those individuals and the purpose of each allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3278/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Staffing numbers are managed in line with Guidelines on Staffing of Ministerial Offices issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, this includes both civil servants and ministerial personal appointments.

Under the guidelines, the number of staff in a Minister’s Private Office may not exceed 10. Within these staffing limits, under Section 11(1)(a) of the Public Service Management Act 1997 a Minister of the Government may appoint two Special Advisers.

The table below sets out the composition of staff assigned to my Private Office:

Additionally, one officer receives a private secretary allowance for all extra duties and expenses attaching to the position. The allowance payable for the post of Private Secretary is €23,707 per annum (non-PPC) or €24,952 (PPC) per annum.

All staff are paid on the salary scale for their grade and in accordance with the standard arrangements put in place by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.