Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 November 2013
» ...
»
Diplomatic Representation
57. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Irish diplomatic presence in the Slovak Republic; if he will provide a breakdown of the costs of running the office there in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47539/13]
View answerThe Embassy to the Slovak Republic opened in 2001. Our diplomatic presence in Bratislava is important in the context of shared membership of the European Union, in advancing relationships, promoting our interests and fostering goodwill between our two countries. From an economic perspective, and given that the state agencies service the market from regional offices, the Embassy has an important role in the promotion of exports, tourism and inward investment. The Embassy performs a wide range of functions in the context of our foreign policy, including representing and advancing government policies with the Slovakian government. In addition, the Embassy delivers frontline consular and passport services to citizens, and engages with and supports the Irish community. Since 2012, the Embassy has been staffed by only one diplomatic officer, with the rank of Ambassador, with the support of two locally engaged staff. A breakdown of the running costs of the Embassy from 2009 to the present is set out in the table below. The figures include all expenditure items charged to Mission budgets. Salaries and related costs of staff posted from Ireland are not included as they are a charge on the overall budget of the Department.
|
Bratislava Mission Expenditure All figures in Euro |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 to 05/11/2013 |
|
Local staff salaries, foreign representation and accommodation |
131,975 |
137,298 |
138,986 |
92,438 |
56,302 |
|
Travel and subsistence |
4,157 |
2,714 |
2,302 |
1,565 |
4,495 |
|
Incidental expenses |
9,944 |
9,251 |
8,849 |
5,781 |
2,682 |
|
Postal and telecommunications |
7,585 |
6,846 |
7,970 |
6,286 |
3,818 |
|
Office machinery and other office expenses |
770 |
929 |
835 |
1,329 |
560 |
|
Office premises expenses |
255,138 |
200,965 |
197,813 |
186,683 |
148,217 |
|
Total |
409,568 |
358,004 |
356,755 |
294,081 |
216,074 |
