Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016
351. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total cost of Ireland's diplomatic service in 2016, in tabular form; the levels of salary of ambassadors, first secretaries, consuls and other key ranks in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30542/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s diplomatic service abroad consists of a network of 80 diplomatic and consular offices, often called "missions”. The network consists of 61 Embassies, 7 multilateral Missions, 11 Consulates General and one Representative Office. The size and scale of our diplomatic network is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis having regard to clear national priorities and available resources, and must be on the basis of an anticipated and ongoing significant return for the State. In addition to the country of primary accreditation, many Embassies also cover additional countries which enhances the cost-effectiveness of external representation.
As a small open economy, heavily dependent on exports, a strong diplomatic network overseas is critically important. The Department of Foreign Affairs was given additional trade responsibilities in 2011 and its title was changed to the ‘Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’ to reflect this. Ambassadors and their teams play an active role in trade, assisting businesses, working with State agencies, and building important networks for Ireland. The value of Irish goods exports alone in 2015 was €111,038m, a 20% increase on 2014. Ambassadors chair Local Market Teams in the 27 priority markets.
My Department, through the Mission network, performs a wide range of functions in support of Ireland’s foreign policy interests. These include representing and advancing government policies with other states and in international organisations, in particular the EU and the UN; economic, trade and cultural promotion; frontline consular and passport services to our citizens overseas; engaging with and supporting Irish communities abroad, and managing Ireland’s overseas development programmes in Ireland’s key partner countries. The Department and Missions work in close coordination with the State Agencies towards the advancement of Irish business and economic interests.
While the total cost of Ireland's diplomatic service for 2016 is not available yet, the total cost of running our Missions abroad in 2015, the most recent year for which full year figures are available, was €95,334,563. This total includes the costs incurred in the Mission network and costs incurred at HQ which are directly attributed to Missions, such as salaries of officers posted abroad.
All our diplomats are civil servants; they are paid by the State and, as PAYE workers, are subject to the normal tax and social security obligations of civil servants. The salary scales for all civil servants are determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The grades of officers serving as Ambassador abroad range from First Secretary upwards and the salary scales for the relevant grades are set out in the following table:
Pay scales with effect from 1 July 2013
|
Grade |
Scale |
|
SECRETARY GENERAL I |
€185,350 |
|
SECRETARY GENERAL II |
€176,350 |
|
SECRETARY GENERAL III |
€167,300 |
|
DEPUTY SECRETARY |
€156,380 |
|
ASSISTANT SECRETARY |
€119,572; €124,917; €130,706; €136,496 |
|
COUNSELLOR/PRINCIPAL (HIGHER) |
€81,080; €84,247; €87,425; €90,591; €93,297; €96,148A; €98,995B |
|
PRINCIPAL |
€75,647; €78,670; €81,676; €84,706; €87,258; €89,906A; €92,550B |
|
FIRST SECRETARY/ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL (HIGHER) |
€65,000; €66,531; €68,893; €71,244; €73,600; €74,973; €77,275A; €79,552B |
|
FIRST SECRETARY/ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL |
€61,966; €64,257; €65,000; €65,000; €67,074; €68,293; €70,416A; €72,546B |
|
Pay scales for established officers appointed on or after the 6th April 1995 |
|
|
SECRETARY GENERAL I |
€185,350 |
|
SECRETARY GENERAL II |
€185,350 |
|
SECRETARY GENERAL III |
€175,877 |
|
DEPUTY SECRETARY |
€161,5521 |
|
ASSISTANT SECRETARY |
€125,761; €131,385; €137,481; €143,535 |
|
COUNSELLOR/PRINCIPAL (HIGHER) |
€85,127; €88,454; €91,798; €95,135; €97,981; €100,977A; €103,976B |
|
COUNSELLOR/PRINCIPAL |
€79,401; €82,587; €85,750; €88,936; €91,624; €94,410A; €97,194B |
|
FIRST SECRETARY/ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL (HIGHER) |
€67,434; €69,910; €72,391; €74,870; €77,304; €78,714; €81,109A; €83,510B |
|
FIRST SECRETARY/ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL |
€65,000; €65,000; €66,040; €68,262; €70,479; €71,758; €73,995A; €76,224B |
A. After 3 years' satisfactory service at the maximum
B. After 6 years' satisfactory service at the maximum
