Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount spent by his Department and the agencies under the aegis of his Department on overtime in 2008 and to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35204/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The overtime costs for the Department of Foreign Affairs (Votes 28 and 29) during the years in question are set out in the table below.

Most overtime in my Department arises in the Passport Offices in Dublin, Balbriggan, Cork and London, due to the seasonal nature of the demand for passports. The peak season has now passed and I do not expect significant further overtime costs to arise in 2009. Overtime is paid to officers in my Department in accordance with the usual Civil Service regulations on extra attendance, which are set out in Department of Finance Circular number 27 of 1999. During the past two years, the Department has made determined efforts to bring down its overtime bill. In the period 2004-2007 inclusive, the average overtime spend was €2.37 million per year.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount spent by his Department and the agencies under the aegis of his Department on all non-core pay in 2008 and to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35219/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is responsible for two Votes, Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29, (International Cooperation). There are no State agencies under the aegis of my Department. The following table summarises my Department's total payroll expenditure, under Vote 28 and Vote 29, for 2008 and up to 30 September in 2009.

Accordingly, the amount spent on non-core pay (Overtime and Insurance costs abroad) was €4.83m in 2008 and €3.49m to date in 2009.

While not in the nature of pay, the Department operates a system of allowances relating to staff overseas. These include the rent costs of diplomatic officers abroad (excluding Heads of Mission); their local post allowances which are designed to defray the additional costs relating to the performance of duties abroad; and cost of living allowances which compensate for any differential between cost of living indices in Dublin and the location of assignment. The total cost of these allowances in 2008 and 2009 (to 30 September) was €20.7m and €15.22m respectively. The regulations governing these arrangements have been sanctioned by the Department of Finance. In addition, the various allowances are also regularly reviewed to take account of changes in cost of living and currency movements and to ensure that value for money is being achieved.