David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

28. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost of reintroducing public sector allowances for workers in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16652/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Policy in relation to the payment of allowances in the Public Service is, in the first instance, a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

I can say however, that following the review of public service allowances and premium pay, a number of changes were made in respect of allowances paid to public servants. This review was completed in 2012.

In that regard, the allowance which was payable to officials who travelled outside of Ireland and the UK to represent Ireland at meetings of the EU or other international organisations, or who acted as Chairpersons of EU committees, collectively known as Chairpersons and Delegates allowance, was abolished.

This was the only allowance in respect of civil servants in my Department that was abolished which had a cost implication for my Department.

This is a demand-led allowance, and depends on the number of times staff in my Department travel abroad to represent Ireland at meetings of the EU or other international organisations. On the basis that it is not possible to predict the number of such meetings to be attended it is not possible to calculate accurately the cost of restoring this allowance to staff in my Department.