The Members of the Bulgarian Parliament from the Interior Committee decided Wednesday to cut by 50% the funds for trips abroad for security agents.

The employees of the State Agency for National Security (DANS) travel outside the country because the Agency provides the protection of the cryptographic communications of Bulgarian Embassies.

The measure was announced as an anti-crisis measure to be regulated with an amendment to the DANS Act.

After the 2010 budget update, the DANS funds were cut, making it impossible for the Agency to pay for all trips abroad and at the same time pay severance to employees who have been laid off.

The budget update reduced the DANS funds to BGN 77 M (down from BGN 97 M) all while the Agency owes former employees BGN 12 M.

The parliamentary opposition said they were against the decision to cut trips abroad with the motive the budget update cannot be used as a reason at such a later date.

Under the DANS Act, the Agency is responsible for the cryptographic security of classified information in Bulgaria and at Embassies and Consular offices abroad with the largest ones having DANS agents on staff securing 24-hour protection. DANS is also in charge of communications with Bulgarian missions abroad.

DANS agents working abroad receive travel and relocation money, money for rent, medical care and health insurance for them and their families, money for their children's education, and their salaries, according to contract.