Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 1997

Vol. 480 No. 6

Written Answers - President's Establishment.

Ben Briscoe

Question:

204 Mr. Briscoe asked the Minister for Finance the total moneys expended on the President's Establishment; the breakdown of such moneys for each of the years 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995 and to date in 1997; the number of persons assigned to the President's Establishment in each of these years; and their titles and responsibilities. [14384/97]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

Information in regard to the total estimated cost of the President's Establishment for the years 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1997, which is borne on the Central Fund and the Votes for certain Departments, is in the following tabular statement. Comparable figures for the other years requested by the Deputy are not available.

As regards the number of persons assigned to the President's Estalishment, information on the basis sought by the Deputy is not readily available. Following are details of the numbers of staff currently assigned to the President's Establishment:

President's Secretariat	17
Office of Public Works:
Household Staff	14
Outdoor Staff	13
Permanent Defence Force:
Aides de Camp:
Officers	3
Non-Commissioned Officers	2

In addition, members of the Garda Siáochána provide protection for the President's Establishment. The number so assigned is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner.

Global Cost of the Office of the President (£000)

Dept/Vote	1989	1991	1993	1995	1997 (estimate)
President's Vote	254	453	528	649	731
Central Fund (a)	122	266	284	276	295
Vote 7 (b)	25	38	43	44	48
OPW	408	522	876	905	728
Taoiseach	2	18	12	37	46
Justice	68	74	95	95	200
Defence	90	105	110	92	127
Foreign Affairs	64	50	95	313	395
Total	1,033	1,526	2,043	2,411	2,570

(a) Emoluments and allowances of President, pension of former Presidents and widows of former Presidents.

(b) Superannuation and Retired Allowances — pension of former staff of the President's Establishment.