Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if diplomatic posts at ambassador or lower level will remain unfilled due to budgetary constraints in 2009; his plans to reduce the funds available for diplomatic entertainment for the next budget year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38458/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department will comply with the requirement for all Departments to reduce their expenditure on payroll by 3%. This will be a very challenging target to achieve. Work is still ongoing and a wide range of options is being explored to reduce our expenditure in this area.

Among the options being considered is the non-replacement of some officers in positions both at headquarters and abroad. No decisions have yet been taken in relation to specific posts. Every effort will be made to ensure that, in achieving these payroll savings, there is no negative impact on frontline services to the public.

The budgetary allocations from which official and diplomatic entertainment is funded have been significantly reduced next year. There will, as a result, be a reduction in the funds available for these representational activities. However, the resources available will be targeted so as to ensure maximum impact in terms of outreach and effectiveness.

These administrative savings are being made in the context of an overall reduction of 7% in the resources available to my Department in 2009.