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The government has released details of a € 2 million annual salary package for 23 of its politically appointed special advisers.
This afternoon the details of the salaries of the special advisers appointed by 13 ministers and ministers of state have been published, showing that they earn between 67,659 and 101,114 euros.
Figures for 23 media and policy advisers show that their combined annual revenues will exceed € 2 million, with eight of these appointed with salaries of more than € 100,000.
Salaries exclude pension and other rights.
The eight special advisers, or spads as they are known, who receive € 101,114 include former journalists Chris Donoghue, Paul Melia and Susan Mitchell.
Both Deborah Sweeney and Ed Brophy, who work for Paschal Donohoe, receive this salary as does Pauric McPhilips, who works for Heather Humphreys; Kevin Barrett, who advises Michael McGrath, and Paul Kenny, who was appointed by Eamon Ryan.
Others on the published list include ex the political correspondent Juno McEnroe, with 87,325 euros, as well as the former RTÉ journalist Margaret Ward. Two other advisers who formally worked as journalists are Niall O’Connor and Colette Sexton, who earn 94,487 euros a year.
Former Cork City Councilor Laura McGonigle, who now works as an advisor to Simon Coveney, receives € 94,487.
However, the figures do not include the salaries of the government’s press secretary, Paul Clarkson, who is understood to have a salary of about 140,000 euros.
Nor does it include the government’s two undersecretaries of the press, Ian Carey and Nick Miller, who are also political appointees.
Speaking at the Dáil this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the requirement for specialized policy advice and input was a matter for each individual minister to consider, taking into account the area of responsibility and existing support in the relevant departments.
In detailing his own team, Mr. Martin revealed that his chief of staff is at the undersecretary salary level of € 174,688, his deputy chief of staff at the undersecretary level of between € 135,299 and € 154,775.
Three special advisers are at the main officer level, a grade that ranges between € 84,752 and € 104,202. Finally, Mr. Martin has also hired a part-time economic advisor at the undersecretary level.
Mr. Martin said: “Where there are parties with different perspectives in government, and this is a tripartite government, it is necessary to make sure that the policy program, according to the Government Program, and the perspectives of the parties are presented through. “
When publishing the partial list of appointments, the Department of Reform and Public Expenditure stated: “The formal appointment of a special advisor requires that a Government Order be issued in each instance.
“The process to formally appoint Special Advisers to the 33rd Dáil is being progressed by the relevant ministers at this time.”
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