Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Education and Science amount spent on travel and subsistence in her Department in the first nine months of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006; and the reason for any increase. [27608/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The following table contains a breakdown of the Home Travel and Foreign Travel for the Department of Education and Science for the first nine months of 2006 and 2007.

Home Travel: This unit provides refund of Travel and Subsistence expenses for work related travel within Ireland for Departmental personnel.

Total spent in Home Travel for first nine months of 2006 — €1,736,181.88

Total spent in Home Travel for first nine months of 2007 — €1,761,326.88

There is a percentage increase of approximately 1.5% in spending when comparing the first nine months of 2006 to the first nine months of 2007.

An increase in the rates being paid for travel and subsistence came into effect on the 01/07/06 and 01/07/07.

Percentage Increase for 01/07/06 = 2%

Percentage Increase for 01/07/07 = 2.5%

These percentage increases would account for the overall 1.5% rise in spending on the Home Travel.

Foreign Travel: This unit provides refund of Travel and Subsistence expenses for work related travel outside Ireland for Departmental personnel.

Total spent on Foreign Travel for first nine months of 2006 — €281,308.99

Total spent on Foreign Travel for first nine months of 2007 — €253,789.23