Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 2

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Joe Higgins

Question:

70 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of non-Irish or non-diplomatic staff employed in each Embassy of Ireland; the position in which each of these persons is employed; the range of duties assigned to each of these persons; the nationality of each of these persons; if each of these persons receives a wage or salary which meets the requirements of the Irish minimum wage legislation; if not, if each person receives a wage or salary which meets the requirements of similar legislation or regulations applicable in the country in which the embassy is located; the annual leave entitlement of each such person; the general terms of employment applicable to such persons; if he is satisfied that the Government is not exploiting such staff; if he can assure Dáil Éireann that all embassies are model employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3062/02]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The diplomatic missions of the Department of Foreign Affairs currently employ approximately 265 local staff. They are assigned to the normal range of mission administrative, clerical, secretarial and consular duties. The terms of employment, including leave, of all locally employed staff are set in accordance with local practice and the employment laws and regulations of the host state. Salary scales are maintained in line with those offered by the local embassies as well as similar local public and private sector employment. They are adjusted on a regular basis to take account of local inflation. The Department does not maintain its local staff records on the basis of nationality. Nor is nationality generally an issue in selecting local staff.

I am not aware of any suggestion that any of our diplomatic missions have not been adhering to best local employment practices or that the conditions of employment in any case are less than satisfactory.

Joe Higgins

Question:

71 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of non-Irish or non-diplomatic staff employed in the residence of each ambassador of Ireland; the position in which each of these persons is employed; the range of duties assigned to each of these persons; the nationality of each of these persons; if each of these persons receives a wage or salary which meets the requirements of the Irish minimum wage legislation; if not, if each person receives a wage or salary which meets the requirements of similar legislation or regulations applicable in the country in which the embassy is located; the annual leave entitlement of each such person; the general terms of employment applicable to such persons; if he is satisfied that the Government is not exploiting such staff; if he can assure Dáil Éireann that all Irish diplomatic residences are model employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3063/02]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The Department of Foreign Affairs funds the recruitment by each ambassador of a limited number of domestic staff. The number is related to the level of representational duties and is generally two per embassy.

Domestic staff are not recruited on the basis of nationality and the Department does not maintain domestic staff records on that basis. Ambassadors seek to employ staff with suitable domestic skills. The terms of employment, including leave, of all locally employed staff are set in accordance with local practice and the employment laws and regulations of the host state. Salary scales are maintained in line with those offered by the local embassies as well as similar local public and private sector employment. They are adjusted on a regular basis to take account of local inflation.

I am not aware of any suggestion that any of our ambassadors have not been adhering to best local employment practices or that the conditions of employment in any case are less than satisfactory.