Report: Over €2m in allowances paid to civil servants overseas

Over €2m is being paid out per year in allowances to civil servants working abroad, according to a report published this morning.

The Irish Times has published allowance figures for various government departments after they were obtained by Fianna Fáil TD Sean Flemming.

Department of Foreign Affairs staff who work abroad are paid a total of €1m to offset the cost of school fees for their children while a further €800,000 is paid in health insurance top-ups for staff and their dependents.

Some €280,000 was paid out in disturbance allowances for diplomats

It has also emerged that the Department of the Taoiseach is paying out a clothing allowance of €444 per year to some staff members in its protocol section and in the Government Press Office.

Meanwhile the Department of the Environment has confirmed that 22 workers share €40,000 for having an office in their home, and two shared €1,000 for "eating on site".

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin is to bring proposals to Cabinet shortly on allowances.