Written answers
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Department of Foreign Affairs
Departmental Expenditure
10:00 am
John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the elements of the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes that have been implemented to date by his Department; his plans to implement any aspects of the plan in the future; if the overall plan has been assessed by his Department; and if so, his views on the benefits of the plans. [28116/10]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes (The McCarthy Report) 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 | An 8% cut in the Administrative Budget allocation to the Department and the moratorium on staff recruitment has impacted on the Department's network abroad.Some refocusing of resources is being implemented in the current year, including a trial of a new, lighter model 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 of the Department is now 65 below the authorised numbers for the Department |
| Cease funding the European Movement in Ireland and the Ireland United Nations Association | This has been implemented for the Ireland UN Association. |
| Reduce allocation for Contributions to International Organisations by €5million | The 2010 allocation has been reduced in line with the recommendation of the Special Group, although it is at this stage evident that it will not be possible to cover mandatory contributions due in 2010 from the amount allocated. |
| Cease expenditure to EU and other European States under Subhead K | This has been 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 for the current year was set at 0.42% of GNP in order to ensure that Ireland exceeds its EU commitment as a Member State to spend 0.51% on overall ODA in 2010.Given changes in the reference GNP levels, savings in excess of those recommended by the Special Group report were achieved.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 | This was implemented in 2010 with a reduction of €2.2m |
The report of the Special Group, which foresees a multi-annual implementation period, continues to inform decisions being taken by me in terms of the allocation of resources within my Department.
The Report forms an important part of the backdrop in making decisions on resource allocation within the Department and also forms an important component of the Government's financial consolidation programme.
The overall effect of this programme has been beneficial in restoring Ireland's competitiveness and in protecting our reputation in international financial markets.
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