Twelve "unestablished" civil servants are attached to the Department of the Taoiseach at a cost of almost half a million pounds per annum, according to figures released yesterday by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern. The special advisers, programme managers, press officers and personal secretaries between them will earn £423,694 a year.
In addition, Ms Katherine Bulbulia has been appointed as programme manager to the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Ms Harney, on a salary of £53,477. Ms Bulbulia, a former Fine Gael senator, was an unsuccessful Progressive Democrat candidate in Waterford in the general election in June.
The highest-paid official in the Taoiseach's Department is Mr Gerry Hickey, the programme manager and special adviser. He has a salary of £82,715.
Dr Martin Mansergh, the Government's special adviser on Northern Ireland, economic and social matters, is paid £62,732 a year, and special adviser Mr Paddy Duffy has an annual salary of £50,364.
In the Government Press Office/Government Information Services Mr Jackie Gallagher, a special adviser, is paid £44,000 a year, while the head of the Government Information Service, Mr John Murray, has an annual salary of £42,000.
Mr Murray's personal assistant, Ms Kristin Quinn, receives £23,000 while the manager of the communications unit, Mr Marty Whelan, has a salary of £30,477.
Ms Evelyn Eagar, Dr Mansergh's personal assistant, receives £22,676 while the Taoiseach's personal secretaries in his constituency office, Ms Debbie Miller and Ms Grainne Carruth, receive £11,994 and £13,530 respectively.
In response to a question from the Leader of Democratic left, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, the Taoiseach said that the total number of "unestablished" civil servants in the Department was 12, compared with 25 in the last government.