The bill for special advisers is less under the current Government, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said. "It has been reduced from well over €1 million to €640,000 per annum because I have fewer advisers now," he added.
Replying to questions, Mr Ahern said the number of advisers who assisted him in dealing with Government business had fallen by two.
"However, since the general election, four new political staff have been appointed to my department. They are the Government press secretary, a deputy Government press secretary and a special adviser to the Government Chief Whip.
"The Green Party programme manager based in Government Buildings is not a member of staff in my department, but my department has engaged a personal assistant to provide administrative assistance to him and the new deputy Government press secretary."
The advisers' primary function was to monitor, facilitate and help to achieve Government objectives and ensure effective co-ordination in the implementation of the programme for Government, he said.
"They are also tasked with giving me advice and keeping me informed on a wide range of issues, including business; financial; economic; political, administrative and media matters and performing other functions as may be directed by me," he added.
They liaised with other departments and were a point of contact in his department for Ministers and their advisers, he added.
