Organisational Information
Who we are
The President’s Establishment consists of a team of civil servants and personal appointees of the President.
Who we work with
Áras an Uachtaráin and the Office of the President are supported by a number of Government Departments and State Agencies. With staff based at Áras an Uachtaráin, the OPW, the Defence Forces and An Garda Siochána also support the work of the President.
What it costs
The direct costs of the Office of the President in 2019 were €3.6m.
This figure includes the payment of €1.26m Centenarians Bounty to 481 Irish citizens at home and abroad who reach the age of 100 years. The cost of the 26 staff at Áras an Uachtaráin was €1.71m.
The Appropriation account, audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and published every year like every Department’s accounts, provides details of the costs of running the President’s Office. It also includes details of costs incurred by other Government Departments and State Bodies who provide support and ancillary services to the President’s Office.
The provision of these support services to the President’s Office (e.g. Garda Security, OPW maintenance of the Áras etc.) are matters for the professional judgment of these Departments and agencies. The President’s Office has no control over decisions on the scale of expenditure involved.
Total gross expenditure in 2018 was € 3,499,000 of which € 1,093,000 was on the Centenarian Bounty and € 1,717,000 on salaries.
Total gross expenditure in 2017 was € 3,609,000 of which € 1,071,000 was on the Centenarian Bounty and € 1,675,000 on salaries.
Total gross expenditure in 2016 was € 3,608,000 of which € 1,096,000 was on the Centenarian Bounty and € 1,677,000 on salaries.
Further details are available on the website of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Office of the President |
Costs for 2019 (€) |
Department and other State Bodies who provide support to the Office of the President |
Costs for 2019 (€) |
Purpose |
Salaries, wages and allowances (26 Staff Members) |
1,724,000 |
Office of Public Works |
797,000 1,097,000 201,000 |
|
Centenarians Bounty (481 citizens at home and abroad who reach the age of 100 years) |
1,258,000 |
Garda Siochana |
200,000 |
Transport costs: drivers, fuel and maintenance
|
Travel and subsistence |
87,000 |
Dept. of Defence |
422,000 |
Defence Forces personnel attached to Áras an Uachtaráin
|
Training and Development and incidental expenses |
327,000 |
Dept. of Foreign Affairs |
364,000 |
Costs associated with Presidential Travel Abroad |
Postal and telecommunications |
64,000 |
Central Fund |
899,000 |
|
Office machinery and other office and related supplies |
195,000 |
Office of the Minister for Finance |
13,000 |
|
Appropriations-in-aid |
-78,000 |
Superannuation and Retired Allowances |
784,000 |
|
|
|
National Shared Services Office |
3,000 |
|
TOTAL |
3,577,000 |
TOTAL |
4,780,000 |
|
Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015
The Lobbying Act 2015 provides that state bodies publish a list of designated public officials. The designated public officials for the President's Establishment are:
Secretary General: Orla O'Hanrahan
Deputy Secretary General: George Burke