Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 326: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her Department and all agencies under her remit are in compliance with the Department of Finance guidelines on foreign travel; and the mechanisms in place in each to ensure ongoing compliance with these guidelines. [44825/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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All foreign travel booked for delegates representing the Department are in compliance with the Department of Finance guidelines. A Departmental Travel Policy document, based upon the Department of Finance guidelines, exists to guide staff booking foreign travel. This document is updated on an ongoing basis, in order to ensure continued compliance.

The five statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department are the Pensions Board, the Combat Poverty Agency, the Citizens Information Board (formerly Comhairle), the Family Support Agency and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department.

I have been advised by each of the agencies that they comply with the department of finance guidelines. The details as supplied by each agency are below.

The Pensions Board policy in relation to travel and subsistence costs is based on the relevant Department of Finance circulars and regulations. The over-riding consideration is to ensure that only necessary travel is undertaken and that it is done in the most economical and practicable way. Foreign travel is arranged through the office of the Chief Executive Officer, and as a general rule, economy class is booked except in very exceptional circumstances. The Combat Poverty Agency (CPA) fully adheres to relevant Department of Finance circulars and regulations on foreign travel. Compliance is subject to scrutiny and monitoring by senior management and the CPA Board. Compliance checks are also performed annually by the Agency's internal auditors and the Comptroller and Auditor General's Office (C&AG) as part of the audit of the Agency's annual accounts. The over-riding consideration is to ensure that only necessary travel is undertaken and that it is done in the most economical and practicable way.

The Citizens Information Board is fully compliant with the Department of Finance guidelines on foreign travel. The Board implements the payment of travel and subsistence as outlined in the Department of Finance Circular 11/1982: Travelling and Subsistence Regulations, and with regard to Foreign Travel the Board is guided by the Foreign Travel Policy document issued by the Department of Finance in 1998. All foreign travel by members of the Board or staff in respect of Board business requires the prior approval of management. All foreign travel is strictly appraised and monitored in line with the Department of Finance guidelines.

The Family Support Agency is in compliance with the Department of Finance guidelines on foreign travel. Foreign Travel requires the prior approval of the Chief Executive Officer, and as a general rule, economy class is booked except in very exceptional circumstances.

The Social Welfare Tribunal does not incur expenses in respect of foreign travel.

Foreign travel undertaken by the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman (mostly on business connected with the British and Irish Ombudsman Association) is fully in compliance with Department of Finance guidelines. All travel is authorised by the Pensions Ombudsman or his deputy.