Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
466. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish civil servants who are currently on secondment to EU institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15105/20]
View answerIn 2013 the Government approved a range of measures to support the placement of Irish officials on secondment to the EU institutions and other international organisation as part of our efforts to maximise our influence internationally.
This included the establishment of a Centrally Funded Scheme, coordinated initially by the Department of the Taoiseach, and by my Department since 2017. The Centrally Funded Scheme covers the cost of secondments to the EU’s Institutions and other international organisations, where these costs are not provided for by the host institution. On average, 24 secondments have been funded annually through the scheme. A total of 23 secondments have been funded to date in 2020. The scheme is vitally important in building up EU expertise within the civil service. All Government Departments and Agencies have access to funding through the scheme.
As well as the funding provided by the Centrally Funded Scheme, Government Departments and/or the EU Institutions also cover the costs of some secondments. In 2020, nine Irish officials were seconded to the EU’s Institutions in this manner.
In addition to the secondees mentioned above, there are eight staff in my Department who are serving in assignments in the EU Institutions are assigned to the European External Action Service (EEAS), including one at Head of EU Delegation level.
The EEAS is the European Union’s diplomatic service created to promote an EU-wide common foreign and security policy. It is staffed by officers from the EU Commission, the EU Council Secretariat and the Foreign Ministries of EU Member States, including my Department. The recruitment of diplomats from Member States to serve in the EEAS enhances the links and interaction with the diplomatic services of the Member States. My Department takes all reasonable steps to support the candidacies of Irish applicants for EEAS posts. Officers who are offered positions have been, and will continue to be, granted special leave for the duration of their assignments.
The Programme for Government makes a commitment to ensuring that Ireland is adequately represented in EU Institutions, including the EEAS. This will be an area of focus for my Department in recognition of the value of placing Irish civil servants in key positions to enhance our influence and contribute to the effective functioning of EU institutions.
