The president of the National Senate, Engineer Ramón Alburquerque criticized the government for what he considers an excess of ministers. He said the government spends over RD$700 million (about US$44 million) in wages and diets paid out to ministers and deputy ministers. He said that Dominican law establishes there should only be 86 ministers and deputy ministers. The present government has beefed up its bureaucracy, appointing 450 ministers. While the practice of appointing more than two deputy ministers per ministry began during the administration of former President Balaguer, Alburquerque justified that prior to 1996 deputy ministers made about RD$10,000 a month, so the burden wasn’t as heavy on state finances. President Fernández increased the salary of a deputy minister to RD$25,000, plus these receive thousands more in benefits. Many deputy ministers have a jeep with chauffeur at their disposition. He said they also require assistants, secretary and an office, per diem and travel expenses.
