Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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350. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of accommodation for all Irish diplomats worldwide, following on from recent news reports on the high cost of the Irish ambassador's residence in Japan, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30541/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The total figure for 2015 for accommodation for approximately 350 public servants posted overseas with their dependents to Ireland’s diplomatic missions is €12,761,000. The figure spent to date in 2016 is €9,556,000. These figures include the rental costs of official accommodation for Heads of Mission and the rent reimbursements provided to other officers where necessary. These figures also include certain costs which will be charged back to other Departments, as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade oversees the posting of officers seconded in from other Departments to serve at our missions overseas, e.g. at the Permanent Representation in Brussels.

There is currently a total of forty-eight properties rented by the State for Heads of Mission abroad - seven under Vote 27 and forty-one under Vote 28. These normally serve as both homes and as locations for Irish community, business and cultural promotional events to advance Ireland’s strategic interests. In this the Embassies frequently partner with State Agency partners.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also provides officers who serve the State abroad with rent reimbursements to enable them to rent suitable accommodation at post if required. Rent reimbursement is only provided to officers who are not eligible to reside in State-provided accommodation.

Officers receiving rent reimbursement remain personally responsible for all payments in respect of beneficial services such as heating, electricity, telephone, internet, etc. in the same manner as would apply when they are based in Ireland.

Rent reimbursements are fixed for the duration of an officer’s assignment abroad, apart from provisions provided for in leases for mandatory cost of living index increases. Fluctuations occur due to currency changes and some rents may be paid over a 2 year period instead of monthly, based on local requirement.

The Department uses an independent advisory service to provide advice on appropriate rent levels in the locations in which it is based around the world. The primary criterion in assessing rent reimbursement level is the size of an officer’s family. Other possible considerations would be to ensure safe and secure locations, proximity to schools and the Mission, as well as general health and safety concerns. Assessments are also made as to the representational/promotional work associated with particular posts and if the property is likely to be frequently used for promotional work.

Many of our officers posted abroad are accompanied by their family, an important requirement which must be taken into account when determining an officer’s rent ceiling. Staff numbers posted abroad fluctuate during the year, as staffing requirements can change.

Cost of Accommodation Officers at Irish Missions Overseas

Ireland’s approach to these issues is broadly consistent to that taken by comparable EU foreign ministries.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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351. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total cost of Ireland's diplomatic service in 2016, in tabular form; the levels of salary of ambassadors, first secretaries, consuls and other key ranks in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30542/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s diplomatic service abroad consists of a network of 80 diplomatic and consular offices, often called "missions”. The network consists of 61 Embassies, 7 multilateral Missions, 11 Consulates General and one Representative Office. The size and scale of our diplomatic network is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis having regard to clear national priorities and available resources, and must be on the basis of an anticipated and ongoing significant return for the State. In addition to the country of primary accreditation, many Embassies also cover additional countries which enhances the cost-effectiveness of external representation.

As a small open economy, heavily dependent on exports, a strong diplomatic network overseas is critically important. The Department of Foreign Affairs was given additional trade responsibilities in 2011 and its title was changed to the ‘Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’ to reflect this. Ambassadors and their teams play an active role in trade, assisting businesses, working with State agencies, and building important networks for Ireland. The value of Irish goods exports alone in 2015 was €111,038m, a 20% increase on 2014. Ambassadors chair Local Market Teams in the 27 priority markets.

My Department, through the Mission network, performs a wide range of functions in support of Ireland’s foreign policy interests. These include representing and advancing government policies with other states and in international organisations, in particular the EU and the UN; economic, trade and cultural promotion; frontline consular and passport services to our citizens overseas; engaging with and supporting Irish communities abroad, and managing Ireland’s overseas development programmes in Ireland’s key partner countries. The Department and Missions work in close coordination with the State Agencies towards the advancement of Irish business and economic interests.

While the total cost of Ireland's diplomatic service for 2016 is not available yet, the total cost of running our Missions abroad in 2015, the most recent year for which full year figures are available, was €95,334,563. This total includes the costs incurred in the Mission network and costs incurred at HQ which are directly attributed to Missions, such as salaries of officers posted abroad.

All our diplomats are civil servants; they are paid by the State and, as PAYE workers, are subject to the normal tax and social security obligations of civil servants. The salary scales for all civil servants are determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The grades of officers serving as Ambassador abroad range from First Secretary upwards and the salary scales for the relevant grades are set out in the following table:

Pay scales with effect from 1 July 2013

A. After 3 years' satisfactory service at the maximum

B. After 6 years' satisfactory service at the maximum