Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of civil servants from her Department who are based in the European Commission working in the relevant permanent representative offices; and their titles and functions. [3825/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department currently has two civil servants at Assistant Principal level based in Brussels in the following roles:

Title: : Attaché seconded to the Department of Foreign Affairs working in the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union

Function: The officer represents and promotes the concerns and interests of the Department of Social Protection to the EU Institutions and representatives of other Member States.

Title: Seconded National Expert to the European Commission working in the Directorates-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Function: The officer contributes to the monitoring and assessment by the European Commission of employment, social inclusion and social protection policies in Ireland.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of civil servants from his Department who are based in the European Commission working in the relevant permanent representative offices; their titles and functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3819/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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My Department has a single EU Attaché at Assistant Principal level based in the European Commission. The EU Attaché is seconded to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the period of his assignment and is based in Ireland's Permanent Representation in Brussels.

The purpose of the post is to represent Ireland in relation to EU developments in respect of the functions of my Department. The Attaché participates in, monitors and reports on such developments and liaises with the European Commission and with other Member State representatives, while keeping in close contact with relevant Government Departments and Agencies in Ireland. The Attaché also helps to shape Ireland's approach to EU developments in relation to my Department's functions and our approach to the upcoming Irish Presidency of the EU in 2013.