I received an unexpected letter from the Department of the Taoiseach yesterday regarding my queries on the Secretarial Assistants Scheme for former Taoisigh.
The Secretarial Assistants involved are on this Department’s payroll and salary is paid directly to them except in the case of former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds who uses the services of an agency. In his case payments are made directly to the agency on receipt of invoices.
In relation to computer equipment, you may wish to note that it was purchased directly by this Department and provided directly to the former Taoisigh.
The scheme was established in August 2001 on an administrative basis by the then Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy.
Yours faithfully
Am I happy with this un-requested letter? Most certainly not, I think it raises even more questions.
More to follow…