Over €5.34m will be spent on government special advisers this year as the coalition has taken on an unprecedented number of politically appointed staff. Around 63 policy and press advisers have been appointed by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste as well as senior and junior ministers, sparking calls for greater transparency in the recruitment process. While the pay bill will total over €5.34m this year, this figure will increase as special advisers receive their annual increments. Special advisers are directly employed by the minister they work for and come and go with the government of the day. The Department of Public Expenditure has released salaries relating to 48 special advisers, two of whom have since left their position and have been replaced.

Source: Irish Examiner June 07, 2021 05:30 UTC