Former Taoisigh are allowed 2 secretaries each

unkel · 21-03-2011 10:41am #1

At the tax payers expense. WTF is that about? Isn't it time this excess fat is cut off?

Sleepy · 21-03-2011 10:51am

Well, come on. Mr Ahern couldn't be expected to have to find a willing bed-partner in this climate. Hence he needs his "secretaries"

RichardAnd · 21-03-2011 11:15am

Sleepy wrote: »

Well, come on. Mr Ahern couldn't be expected to have to find a willing bed-partner in this climate. Hence he needs his "secretaries"

That's a fairly asinine remark to make.

Sleepy · 21-03-2011 11:16am

It's a little OTT alright. I'll retract it.

I'm just particularly bitter about the fact that even after we sack those who've screwed us, they're still screwing us.

Aard · 21-03-2011 11:32am

I hope the recent Ministers cars thing will encourage people to demand more reductions in the way of perks. Secretaries is another I guess. I imagine that people will even start digging to find new areas to cut back on.

ilovesleep · 21-03-2011 11:37am

Go on the dole, dont pay tax, never work again. problem solved.

kippy · 21-03-2011 11:38am

Why do they need a secretary - never mind two?
Has anyone got the details of this perk?
Does the state actually pay the secretaries, what do they do?

CDfm · 21-03-2011 11:39am

Does the secretaries job come with a car - like a merc and how is it paid for.

RichardAnd · 21-03-2011 11:53am

kippy wrote: »

Why do they need a secretary - never mind two?
Has anyone got the details of this perk?
Does the state actually pay the secretaries, what do they do?

Of course the state pays for them, who else would?

From what I know, all ministers have a PA and she/he (most she for some reason) is civil servant like any other.

kippy · 21-03-2011 11:55am

RichardAnd wrote: »

Of course the state pays for them, who else would?

From what I know, all ministers have a PA and she/he (most she for some reason) is civil servant like any other.

I wouldnt mind acting ministers having PA's to be honest but retired Taoisigh who get paid enough to do nothing for the State is a different matter.
Have you a link to back up the claim that ex taoisigh have two full time secretaries each?

RichardAnd · 21-03-2011 2:54pm

kippy wrote: »

I wouldnt mind acting ministers having PA's to be honest but retired Taoisigh who get paid enough to do nothing for the State is a different matter.
Have you a link to back up the claim that ex taoisigh have two full time secretaries each?

Have I a link? No, I didn't start the thread

femur61 · 22-03-2011 7:34am

Why does he need secretaries? Has he no shame, does he not realise that he was instrumental that we had to borrow 85bn, lost our soverentity, our futures, decimated parishes, decimated families god i could go on but I need to watch something inane to calm me down.

Jesus Wept · 22-03-2011 7:37am

Which ones exert this right?
It ought to be public knowledge.

davetherave · 22-03-2011 7:42am

They get two secretarial assistants for five years and then one after those five years

melekalikimaka · 22-03-2011 7:46am

still harping at ff?

dabestman1 · 22-03-2011 7:53am

davetherave wrote: »

They get two secretarial assistants for five years and then one after those five years

couldn't believe it when i read it in yesterdays paper, fitzgerald claiming it for the first time in years. Stupid me, thinkin we were in recession.

Victor · 22-03-2011 8:02am

It seems that people do write a lot to former Taoisigh and presidents.

davetherave · 22-03-2011 10:10am

For those who are interested (or lazy)

Scheme was introduced in the Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Amendment) Bill, 2001:
Charlie McCreevy, Minister for Finance:

While there is no obligation on ex-Taoisigh to do any of these things, the badgering and entreaties will possibly not cease until they die. Dealing with correspondence or dealing with telephone calls makes increasing demands with advancing age. I take the view that this burden should be eased and I propose to deal with it outside this Bill by providing, under the Taoiseach's Vote, for each former Taoiseach to have a secretarial assistant remunerated at the same level as secretarial assistants in this House.

Like I said above. Two secretary's for five years, and then one retained.

Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach the facilities provided by his Department to former taoisigh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27648/10]

The Taoiseach: Under the terms of an initiative introduced by the Department of Finance in August 2001, my Department pays the salary of secretarial assistants employed by former taoisigh up to the maximum of the higher executive officer standard scale. The initiative provides that a former Taoiseach may employ two secretarial assistants for a period not exceeding five years from the date when he or she was last Taoiseach. After the five year period has elapsed, only one secretarial assistant may be employed. The initiative also includes provision for purchase of computer equipment necessary for this type of service.

While there are no guidelines in regard to the type of work for which secretarial assistants are employed by former taoisigh, I understand that they carry out a normal range of secretarial duties to support the former taoisigh in carrying out those aspects of work associated with their [8]former roles which remain after their period in office has ceased. However, under the initiative, the secretarial assistant cannot engage in constituency or active party political work.

Departmental Expenditure.
Biffo:

While there are no guidelines in relation to the type of work for which secretarial assistants are employed by former Taoisigh, I understand that they carry out a normal range of secretarial duties to support the former Taoisigh in carrying out those aspects of work associated with their former roles which remain after their period in office has ceased. However, under the initiative the secretarial assistant cannot engage in constituency or active party political work.

The table below provides details of the costs incurred in providing secretarial assistants to former Taoisigh who have availed of the scheme since its introduction.
Former Taoiseach	Cost of Scheme by Year
Mr. Charles J. Haughey	
2001 : &#8364;7,806
2002 : &#8364;32,475
2003 : &#8364;32,475
2004 : &#8364;35,538
2005 : &#8364;36,984
2006 : &#8364;54,609
Dr. Garret Fitzgerald	
2001 : &#8364;2,602
2002 : &#8364;32,475
2003 : &#8364;32,475
2004 : &#8364;35,538
2005 : &#8364;36,984
2006 : &#8364;38,514
2007 : &#8364;41,857
2008 : &#8364;44,965
2009 : &#8364;38,055
Mr. Albert Reynolds	
2001 : &#8364;6,824
2002 : &#8364;21,737
2003 : &#8364;35,034
2004 : &#8364;42,275
2005 : &#8364;52,051
2006 : &#8364;14,794
2007 : &#8364;19,145
2008 : &#8364;49,575
2009 : &#8364;44,890
2010 : &#8364;12,365
Mr. John Bruton	
2001 : &#8364;26,020
2002 : &#8364;32,475
2003 : &#8364;18,943
2004 : &#8364;35,538
2005 : &#8364;36,984
2006 : &#8364;38,514
2007 : &#8364;40,635
2008 : &#8364;11,103
2009 : &#8364;0
2010 : &#8364;1,766
Mr. Bertie Ahern	
2008 : &#8364;74,983
2009 : &#8364;114,369
2010 : &#8364;41,307
My Department also provided Dr. Garret FitzGerald with the use of computer equipment to the value of €1,913 during this period.

My Department also pays in respect of the use of airport VIP facilities and mobile phones by former Taoisigh. The costs for these in 2009 were €3,871 and €5,763 respectively. Former Taoisigh are invited to major State functions, e.g. the National Day of Commemoration, the 1916 Commemoration: cost figures are not compiled in respect of this.

kippy · 22-03-2011 11:16am

RichardAnd wrote: »

Have I a link? No, I didn't start the thread

I found the source of the report this morning while reading yesterdays indo -
The costs involved are huge - how much are these secretaries getting paid?

davetherave · 22-03-2011 11:49am

kippy wrote: »

The costs involved are huge - how much are these secretaries getting paid?

davetherave wrote: »

my Department pays the salary of secretarial assistants employed by former taoisigh up to the maximum of the higher executive officer standard scale.

Or if you want someone to hand it on a plate to you.
A absolute maximum of ~€52,085 obtainable after six years of satisfactory service based on my rough calculations of the cuts for 2011.

motherriley · 22-03-2011 12:37pm

Are the secretaries members of their family' of these ex TD. Acting MP's in UK were employing members of their families and they did no work. Wonder if it is the same in Ireland. :rolleyes:

jimmycrackcorm · 22-03-2011 11:52pm

motherriley wrote: »

Are the secretaries members of their family' of these ex TD. Acting MP's in UK were employing members of their families and they did no work. Wonder if it is the same in Ireland. :rolleyes:

The question is whether or not these secretaries are needed or not. I don't think there should be any objection to anyone employing a member of their family to do a job.

motherriley · 23-03-2011 7:56am

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

The question is whether or not these secretaries are needed or not. I don't think there should be any objection to anyone employing a member of their family to do a job.

Not normally but when it is our taxes that are paying their salaries then I object very much especally if they are on a payroll and not doing any work for it. Where does it all end.

there is so much unemployment in Ireland and why not give these jobs to people that really needs it, others with a mortgage to service and responsible for keeping a roof over the heads of their family. TD with their huge pensions and other income will not have this hardships.:mad:

Links:

http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/big-question/the-big-question-should-mps-expenses-and-allowances-be-subject-to-tighter-controls-776115.html

http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=43607

Seth Brundle · 23-03-2011 10:34pm

Sleepy wrote: »

I'm just particularly bitter about the fact that even after we sack those who've screwed us, they're still screwing us.

As much as I'd love him to have been sacked, ahern was never sacked.
In fact, the last time he stood for election, his constituients voted overwhelmingly in favour of him!

Victor · 23-03-2011 10:40pm

kbannon wrote: »

As much as I'd love him to have been sacked, ahern was never sacked.
In fact, the last time he stood for election, his constituients voted overwhelmingly in favour of him!

Angela Merkel sacked him so Lisbon 2 could pass.

Former Taoisigh are allowed 2 secretaries each

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