Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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116. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 17 October 2013 in relation to the payment of allowances to embassy and consular staff abroad, the guidelines under which a decision is made whether or not to refund the cost of items purchased by officers under this scheme; if there is an asset register of items purchased under this scheme; if this scheme applies to officers who are on temporary secondment to the Department of Foreign Affairs; if a mechanism exists for recovering equipment and furniture purchased under this scheme or if the officer may retain these items for private use on conclusion of the officer's posting abroad and re-assignment to a position in here. [45931/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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As outlined in the reply to Question No. 68 of 17 October 2013, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides financial assistance to officers going on posting abroad towards the cost of representational furniture and equipment. In this context, official representation refers to work-related events, official functions and networking opportunities held in the homes of officers on posting as part of their official duties. The scheme covers a small range of items which are necessary to provide a suitable home environment for the purposes of official representation, with particular regard to the representational areas of an officer’s residence. It is governed by detailed internal guidelines, which I would be happy to make available to the Deputy on request. Access to the scheme may also be granted by the parent Department of officers temporarily seconded to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on a case-by-case basis. The amount provided ranges from €2,000-€4,000 depending on the officer’s grade. It may be paid only in respect of an officer’s first posting. The items purchased may be retained by the officer for use during future postings and details of those items are also kept on file. A total of €64,268 was refunded to officers in 2012.