Millions being spent on Advisors in Jobs Heavy/Decision Light Government
Aontú Leader & Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has slammed the “jobs all around” culture in the government – with more special advisors being hired than decisions made, and how there is little to no regard for the taxpayer in all of this.
Tóibín: “I think the government tends to forget that its monies and funds come overwhelmingly from the taxes of hard-working people in this country. The number of special advisors being hired is farcical, most of whom have salaries equal to or exceeding the salaries of elected representatives and Ministers. Between Micheál Martin, Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan, they have 17 special advisors – in addition to the existing body of staff. Eamon Ryan has two Chiefs-of-Staff, and the budget for six further advisors. These special advisors will cost the taxpayers anywhere between €1.4 million to €1.71 million. That is of course just for those three members of the cabinet.”
“Each Cabinet Minister and “Super Junior” is then able to hire two special advisors of their own. This amounts to potentially 30 more special advisors costing anywhere between €2.61 million and €3.03 million. The cabinet has also now approved the hiring of 10 special advisors for Junior Ministers who didn’t want to ‘share’… These advisors will cost at least €676’590, but could cost up to €788’160.”
“Insofar as I can work out, these special advisors will cost the taxpayer between €4.68 million and €5.52 million. There is no regard for the cost to the taxpayer. Millions extra of taxpayer monies are being spent because Junior Ministers don’t want to ‘share advisors’ or because Ministers want the luxury of two Chiefs-of-Staff. This government is giving out jobs all around and charging their extravagance directly to the taxpayer.”
