Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 51: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide the updated figures for expenditure savings relevant to his Department as outlined in last years budget document. [35644/12]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 52: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide figures for any potential savings in his Department planned for the next budget. [35645/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.

The Government's Comprehensive Review of Expenditure sets out the following expenditure ceilings and savings for the Foreign Affairs Group (Votes 27 and 28):

The savings measures introduced in 2012 will result in savings of €56m annually for each of 2013 and 2014. These savings arise from reductions in the allocations for development cooperation, support for Irish emigrants and the reconciliation and anti-sectarian funds, and from the closure of three overseas missions.

Additional savings measures to be specified for 2013 and 2014 are under active consideration and will be disclosed in due course as part of the normal Estimates process.