Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33584/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently eight departmental credit cards issued to office holders and officials in my Department. I, as Minister, hold one credit card, and my Private Secretary, Press Officer and Special Adviser have each been issued with one credit card. One senior official has also been issued with a credit card. These cards are used generally for official expenses in connection with travel, including accommodation and subsistence expenses, and official hospitality.

The three remaining cards are for the general usage of the Department in the purchase of a range of goods and services, mainly the on-line purchase of publications and for booking training courses and conferences. It is the practice of the Department not to incur interest charges on credit cards, and such bills are generally paid on or before the due date.

The table sets out the cost of official purchases associated with credit cards. The table includes costs from 2003. Prior to 2003, records were not held in a manner which would facilitate the identification of such costs without undue administrative effort.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33599/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The cost to my Department of photographers used by the Ministers and Ministers of State in my Department in each year since 2003 is listed in the table. Prior to 2003, before the Department introduced its new financial management system, records were not held in a manner which facilitates the identification of such costs without undue administrative effort.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33614/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The cost of make-up for each year since my appointment as Minister for Finance in 2004 is outlined in the table.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the cost of his Department's entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33629/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Subhead A3.1 (Incidental Expenses — Entertainment) of Vote 6 (Office of the Minister for Finance) provides for entertainment related expenses within my Department's budget. Within the A3.1 allocation expenditure arises for Ministerial, State and official entertainment as well as for routine office catering for business purposes. A breakdown of the total to isolate expenditure on entertainment over the last ten years is not available. However, for the year 2006 approximately 70% relates to routine office catering as distinct from entertainment.

The table sets out the outturn for the subhead for each year since 1997 to 2006 and the expenditure to date in 2007.