Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 91: To ask the Taoiseach the number of credit cards issued for departmental use to Ministers, Ministers of State or others; the person or persons authorised to use such cards; the circumstances in which use is permissible; the number of occasions on which they have been used in the life of the present Government; the purpose of such use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2404/05]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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In addition to my departmental credit card, there are currently 21 credit cards issued for this Department. Details of authorised users are as follows:

It is the policy of the Department that departmental credit cards may only be used for official purposes. This can include charges for items such as travel, accommodation and entertainment expenses incurred while travelling on behalf of the Department and for the purpose of booking conferences or training courses.

It is the experience of the Department that most departmental credit cards are generally used on average three to four times per month — per card — although this will vary. For instance, a card may be used more in a particular month when the user travels on official business and not at all in other months.