Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 175: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of all allowances and the payment rates of those allowances paid to staff in his Department that are subject to income tax and the list of allowances and the payment rates paid to staff that are not subject to income tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31964/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Details of allowances paid in my Department are set out in the tables below. As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is currently reviewing all allowances paid in the public sector and it is expected that the outcome of that review will be considered by Government in the near future.

Allowances common to more than one Department

Personal Pension Contribution (PPC) scales apply where officers were employed since 6 April 1995, pay the class A rate of PRSI and make a personal pension contribution.

Allowances specific to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Allowances paid to officers serving at missions abroad

Foreign Service Allowances are designed to offset the additional costs that arise for officers when they are temporarily posted abroad. The three main components of the Department's system of foreign services allowances are as follows.

Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is designed to defray costs associated with living in cities where the cost of living is higher than in Dublin, based on data provided by an independent external consultancy. Because the COLA is linked to salary and notional net take-home pay it has been reduced in line with salary reductions in the civil service and with increases in taxation in recent years.

Local Post Allowance (LPA) provides assistance towards the additional indirect costs arising from the representational role of officers. This allowance, which varies according to marital status and grade, is payable at all locations abroad. Officers serving in designated "hardship" posts may also be entitled to a hardship allowance as part of their LPA. Where payable, this hardship element takes account of factors such as personal security and political tension, health, environmental factors, climate and isolation.

Children's Foreign Allowance (CFA) compensates officers for additional costs incurred with regard to their children aged under 18, or under 21 and in full time education.

In addition, the following additional allowances may be paid to officers in particular circumstances, usually in the form of refunds for vouched expenditure or paid directly on behalf of officers: