The Government has rejected Labour party claims that the system of special advisers is not working as it was intended - to forewarn of potential "political time bombs" and to provide "an integrated system of communications across departments".
Former Labour leader Ruairí Quinn made the claim after Dáil replies showed salary costs of an estimated €5 million for programme managers, special advisers and press officers.
In the 1990s when Labour introduced a system of programme managers and advisers it was to provide a co-ordinated and integrated programme and response across departments, he said.
But a Government spokeswoman said that this system no longer existed because that Labour government had double the number of current advisers. "We have half the number of advisors and only two programme managers for the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
Mr Quinn said the cost issue was secondary because people should be rewarded well for doing a job. He said the nursing home costs controversy could have been avoided if special advisers had been reading briefs as they should have been doing, and alerting the minister.
PAYMENTS TO AIDES: their annual salaries
The following is the list of contracted advisers, programme managers and press officers.
Department of Taoiseach:
Gerry Hickey, programme manager and special adviser €192,784;
Gerard Howlin, special adviser €109,244;
Una Claffey, special adviser €114,064;
Brian Murphy, special adviser €83,874;
Joe Lennon, special adviser, seconded civil servant €114,064;
Mandy Johnston, Government Press Secretary €109,244;
John Lahart, special adviser to Minister of state and Chief Whip €71,990;
Padraig Slyne, special adviser with responsibility for co-ordination between all Ministers of State €55,057.
Department of Health - Tánaiste:
Katherine Bulbulia, programme manager €134,948;
Iarla Mongey, deputy Government press secretary and head of Government Information Services €96,162;
John O'Brien, special adviser on economics, seconded from Forfás €127,808;
Oliver O'Connor, special adviser €114,064;
Patricia Ryan, special adviser €109,244;
Derek Cunningham, Press Officer €105,000.
Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources:
James Fegan, special adviser €71,990 - €89,801;
Grace Cappock, press adviser €71,990 - €83,707;
Tanya Harrington, policy co-ordinator €71,990 - €83,707.
Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism:
Tony Cotter, special adviser, seconded civil servant €71,990 - €83,707 plus 10 per cent attraction allowance.
Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs:
Pádraic Ó hUiginn special adviser €75,042;
Eadaoin Ní Mhonghaile, press adviser €78,075.
Department of Defence:
Derek Mooney, special adviser €71,990;
Suzanne Coogan, press adviser €55,057.
Department of Education:
Averil Power, special adviser €71,990 .
Department of Environment:
David Grant, special adviser (4-day week) salary based on principal officer full-time scale of €71,990 - €83,707;
Seán Fitzpatrick, press adviser €71,990 - €83,707.
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment:
Deirdre Gillane, policy adviser €81,431;
Christopher Mannion, special adviser €82,193;
Caitriona Meehan, press adviser, seconded civil servant €78,075.
Department of Finance:
Gerry Steadman special adviser, seconded civil servant €68,651 plus 10pc allowance.
Department of Foreign Affairs:
Ciarán Ó Cuinn, special adviser €71,990 - €89,047;
Richard Moore, press adviser €71,990 - €89,047.
Department of Justice:
Cormac Lucey, special adviser €71,990 - €89,047.
Department of Social and Family Affairs:
Frank Lahiffe, special adviser €83,707;
Tom Rowley, press adviser €89,801.
Department of Transport:
Colin Hunt, programme manager €134,948;
Dan Pender, press adviser €71,990 - €89,047.
