Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010
669 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the savings outlined in the report of the special group on public numbers and expenditure programmes which were accepted in budget 2010 for his Department in tabular form; the savings which will be achieved in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1258/10]
View answerThe Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes made recommendations which it estimated would save €41m in a full year in my Department.
In the 2010 Estimates for Public Services and Summary Public Capital Programme, published on 9 December 2009, total savings of €62.7m were announced for my Department. €46.5m of these savings relate to the recommendations of the Special Group.
The following table sets out the recommendations of the Special Group which have been addressed in the Budget and the expected savings to be achieved in 2010
|
2010 Saving |
Comment |
|
|
€m |
||
|
Overseas Missions savings |
3.60 |
A 6% cut in the Administrative Budget and the recruitment moratorium will impact on the Department’s network abroad. Some refocusing of resources is envisaged in 2010 including a trial of new models of overseas representation. |
|
Cease funding the European Movement in Ireland and the Ireland United Nations Association |
0.06 |
Implemented for the Ireland UN Association. |
|
Reduce allocation for Contributions to International Organisations |
5.00 |
Allocation reduced in line with the recommendation of the Special Group. |
|
Cease expenditure to EU and other European States under Subhead K |
1.01 |
Fully implemented in 2010.in line with the recommendation of the Special Group |
|
Maintain allocation for Vote 29 at 0.39% GNP in 2010 and extend timeframe for reaching UN target until 2015 |
34.70 |
Vote 29 ODA set at 0.41% of GNP in 2010 in order to ensure that Ireland meets the EU target of 0.51% in 2010. Due to falling GNP, a saving of €34.7m is still realised.The alignment with the EU timeframe of 2015 to meet the UN target has also been agreed. |
|
Reduce expenditure on Support for Irish Emigrant Services |
2.20 |
Implemented in 2010 with a reduction of €1.2m in excess of that recommended by the Special Group. |
|
Total Savings |
46.57 |
In addition to reductions related to the Special Group recommendations, a further €3.6m in savings have been identified in headquarters administration and savings of €4m arise in respect of referendum costs. A further €6.1m in savings arise following the reductions in public service pay. There are also minor reductions in a range of other subheads.
