Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2017
186. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount spent by his Department on hosting receptions in each of the years 2012 to 2016 to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33285/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade regularly hosts a wide range of promotional events both at home and abroad aimed at increasing Ireland’s international profile, promoting Irish trade, economic and cultural interests, developing our network and influence and advancing our national interests. These events can take many forms and include events with a business, trade, cultural or Irish community focus.
Events held outside the State are largely funded from Promotion and Outreach budgets managed by individual diplomatic missions, while promotional events and State hospitality by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade within Ireland are primarily funded from the Protocol Division of the Department.
The Department’s financial management system does not separately record the cost of hosting receptions within the system. Therefore the information extracted is in summary form and reflects promotional expenditure and outreach expenditure incurred by the Department. In respect of promotional events held outside of the State, the Department records these events and associated expenditure according to the purpose of the event (i.e. trade promotion, networking) rather than by their format (i.e. hosting reception). The Department recently revised its system of classification and with effect from 1 January 2017 all Promotion and Outreach expenditure by overseas missions must be linked to at least one of the Department’s five high level goals: Our People, Our Values, Our Prosperity, Our Place in Europe and Our Influence. This ensures a focus on why activity is undertaken rather than on where it took place or the nature of the activity (e.g. reception, dinner). These new arrangements ensure a closer link between the related expenditure and the Department’s Statement of Strategy and Mission Business Plans. They are designed to enable Missions to plan and proactively pursue delivery of the Department’s High Level Goals. These new arrangements which are being piloted in 2017 will be reviewed and revised for 2018.
Total expenditure by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on events to promote Ireland’s interests, at home and abroad, since 2012 and to date in 2017 is as follows:
|
Expenditure abroad €’000 |
Expenditure in Ireland €’000* |
Total €’000 |
|
|
2012 |
1,820 |
7 |
1,827 |
|
2013 |
2,166 |
24 |
2,130 |
|
2014 |
1,852 |
16 |
1,868 |
|
2015 |
1,963 |
21 |
1,984 |
|
2016 |
2,033 |
27 |
2,060 |
|
(to end June) |
1,545 |
11 |
1,556 |
*26 counties.
