116 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of civil servants, by grade, employed in his own office, including his constituency office, and in the offices of his Minister(s) of State; and the number and titles of any non-civil servants in each of these offices. [7278/97]

There are 17 staff in my ministerial offices, 14 of these are established civil servants. These include one programme manager, one private secretary, three executive officers, seven clerical officers and two clerical assistants-typists. Three are unestablished staff employed on a contract basis: one special adviser, one personal assistant and one personal secretary.

To support my role as a party leader in Government, a small research unit was established to provide me with advice and analysis on policy issues which arise on the general Government agenda outside my departmental responsibilities. This unit is staffed by four unestablished staff employed on a contract basis: one senior research assistant, one research assistant, one part-time research assistant and one administrative assistant.

There are 13 staff assigned to the private and constituency offices of the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Durkan. Nine of these are established civil servants. These include one private secretary, two staff officers, three clerical officers and three clerical assistants-typists. Four are unestablished staff employed on a contract basis: one personal assistant, one personal secretary and two civilian drivers.

117 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Social Welfare the locations of his Department's offices outside Dublin; and the number of civil servants working in each such office. [7294/97]

The information requested by the Deputy in connection with civil servants working in offices of the Department located outside Dublin is set out in the following tabular statement.

There are also 72 branch offices which are run on a contract basis by non-civil servants.

Staff Numbers and Deployment at 1 March 1997