Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 98: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the respective savings that will be obtained by closing the Embassy to the Holy See, the Embassy in Tehran and the mission in East Timor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5444/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The total net economies that will be achieved by the closure of the Embassies to the Holy See and Iran and the Irish Representative office in Timor Leste are estimated at €1.175 million over a full year. It is expected that these savings will be fully realised in 2013. However, in 2012, there will be immediate disengagement costs (for example, local staff severance payments, running down of rental and other contracts) and the net savings from the closures this year are estimated at about €480,000.

Net savings in respect of the closure of the Embassy to the Holy See are estimated at €400,000 this year and €845,000 in 2013. These projections take into consideration the relocation of the offices of the Embassy to Italy and the residence of the Ambassador to Italy to the state-owned Villa Spada. It is expected that the transfer will be completed during the course of the present year and that the full year rental savings, amounting to €445,000, will be realised in 2013.

The corresponding figures for Tehran are €80,000 this year and €330,000 in 2013.

The savings on closure of the office in Dili, estimated at about €200,000 in a full year, will be reallocated within the Irish Aid programme.

In addition, as a result of the closures, it will be possible to relocate 6 diplomatic staff to help offset staff losses elsewhere in the service.