EMBASSIES:IRELAND'S NETWORK of embassies and consulates should be reduced from 76 to 55 and almost 40 ambassador posts should be switched to a lower pay grade, the expenditure review group has suggested.
The group recommends that, given the potential for “synergies” between the Department of Foreign Affairs and agencies, such as Enterprise Ireland, Tourism Ireland and An Bord Bia, the number of embassies and consulates should be reduced to 55.
It points out that a significant proportion of the departments expenditure is accounted for by its overseas missions, and this measure would lead to a reduction in staff of 65 posts between headquarters and missions.
The report also concludes that ambassador posts should in future routinely be graded at principal officer level, with only the three or four largest missions graded at assistant secretary level.
Some 41 ambassadors are currently of assistant secretary grade or higher.
Noting that the foreign service allowance is not taxable and is not subject to the pension or income levies, the group recommends that it should be reduced by 12.5 per cent, “in recognition of the contributions made by those serving in other areas of the public service”.
The allowance, which is payable to all officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs who serve abroad in a diplomatic mission, exists to defray additional expenses they may incur as a result of serving overseas.
The range of proposed cuts in spending on overseas missions would save €15 million.
Among the further measures proposed for the foreign affairs budget is the removal of the free passport scheme for over-65s, which would save €4.6 million.
Support for Irish emigrant services should also be reduced, as well as the allocation for contributions to international organisations.
In addition, the report suggests that the department should cease funding both the European Movement Ireland and the Irish United Nations Association.
