Written answers
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Department of Foreign Affairs
Departmental Reports
11:00 pm
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the list of all proposals in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure relating to his Department or to bodies or agencies under his remit which have been implemented to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13885/10]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes made a number of recommendations to Government in respect of my Department. These were considered in the context of this year's budget and public service estimates and it was decided to implement a number of them in full or in part.
| Recommendation in the report of the Special Group | Comment |
| Overseas Missions savings | A 6% cut in the Administrative Budget allocation and the recruitment moratorium has impacted on the Department's network abroad.Some refocusing of resources is envisaged in 2010 including a trial of new models of overseas representation.The grading of Heads of Mission has been addressed with a reduction in the number of Assistant Secretaries foreseen during 2010.Given the important contribution that is being made by our diplomatic network in promoting our key objectives abroad, in particular, support for our economic recovery, I have not taken the step of reducing our number of Missions. |
| Reduce Staff Numbers by 65 | The staffing complement at the end of 2009 is 49 below the complement at the end of 2008. The target of 65 is expected to be reached during 2010. |
| Cease funding the European Movement in Ireland and the Ireland United Nations Association | Implemented for the Ireland UN Association. |
| Reduce allocation for Contributions to International Organisations by €5million | Allocation reduced in line with the recommendation of the Special Group. |
| Cease expenditure to EU and other European States under Subhead K | Fully implemented in line with the recommendation of the Special Group |
| Maintain allocation for Vote 29 at 0.39% GNP in 2010 and extend timeframe for reaching UN target until 2015 | Vote 29 ODA set at 0.42% of GNP in 2010 in order to ensure that Ireland exceeds its EU commitment as a Member State to spend 0.51% on ODA in 2010.The alignment with the EU timeframe of 2015 to meet the UN target has also been agreed. |
| Reduce expenditure on Support for Irish Emigrant Services | Implemented in 2010 with a reduction of €2.2m |
The report of the Special Group, which foresaw a multi-annual implementation period, continues to inform decisions being taken by me in terms of the allocation of resources within my Department.
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