Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
1384. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to list the composition of his private office, inclusive of the grade and increment of each civil servant assigned to the 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. [3270/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTable 1 sets out the composition of the staff in both the private office and constituency office of Minister Lawless as at 4th February 2025.
The private office to Minister Lawless is comprised of seven staff while the constituency office is comprised of one staff whose salary is paid by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
The Private Secretary assigned to the Minister is at the grade of Administrative Officer and is paid on the salary scale for that grade plus the Private Secretary allowance. This allowance includes payment for all extra attendance, duties and expenses attaching to the post.
The current rate of the Private Secretary allowance, as sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, is as follows:
• €23,706.92 per annum, if the officer is paying modified PRSI or
• €24,952.76 per annum, if officer appointed is paying full PRSI
Table 1
Minister James Lawless Private Office (Dublin)
|
Grade |
Allowance |
|
Administrative Officer (Private Secretary) |
Yes |
|
Higher Executive Officer (Office Manager) |
No |
|
Executive Officer |
No |
|
Executive Officer |
No |
|
Clerical Officer |
No |
|
Clerical Officer |
No |
|
Clerical Officer |
No |
|
Minister James Lawless Constituency Office (Naas, Co. Kildare) |
|
|
Grade |
Allowance |
|
Clerical Officer |
No |
Staff are paid increments on the first anniversary of their start date or the date when they started in their current grade. Increments are paid on an annual basis subject to the job holder achieving a rating of ‘satisfactory’ in PMDS and having a satisfactory sick leave record.
