Departmental Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026

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Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Ceisteanna (2597)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

2597. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of press, media or communications staff currently employed in his Department and within each agency for which he is responsible; the cost of these staff for 2025 and the expected cost for 2026; whether there are proposals to increase the number of such staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75233/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Deputy James Lawless)

There are a total of eight press, media and communications staff currently employed in my Department.

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.

Year ending	31/12/2025	Salary Scale
PO	1	Principal Officer Scale
AP	2	Assistant Principal Officer Scale
HEO	3	Higher Executive Officer Scale
EO	1	Executive Officer Standard Scale
Apprentice	1	Executive Officer Standard Scale

The information in respect of aegis bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the followingt table, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with their query.

Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Name of Body	Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas	Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members
Higher Education Authority	[e-mail]	Trevor Purtill - [e-mail]
Grangegorman Development Agency	[e-mail]	Nigel Thompson - [e-mail]
SOLAS	[e-mail]	Maria Walsh - [e-mail]
Skillnet Ireland	[e-mail]	Tracey Donnery - [e-mail]
Quality and Qualifications Ireland	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau	[e-mail]	Lorraine Gilligan - [e-mail]
Taighde Éireann – Research	[e-mail]	Donna McCabe

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