Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his Department and all agencies under his 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. [44818/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has strict rules regarding foreign travel which are in compliance with the Department of Finance circulars.

The over-riding principle of our approach to foreign travel is that travel costs should be kept to a minimum and that official attendance provides good value for money. Foreign travel is only permitted when it is contributes to the Department's business needs and goals or wider Government interests, or is an obligation of our membership of the EU or international organisations.

The Department makes all efforts to source the most efficient and cost-effective forms of travel, and the use of public transport is encouraged where it is feasible. The Department of Finance's circulars regarding subsistence are strictly adhered to.

All requests for foreign travel on official business must be approved at Principal Officer level or higher, and authorised by the Assistant Secretary-General with overall responsibility for international matters, including foreign travel. Any request for more than one officer to travel must also be authorised at Assistant Secretary-General level.

It is the responsibility of each agency under the aegis of my Department to ensure full compliance with the prescribed guidelines in relation to foreign travel and to have appropriate procedures in place to ensure compliance with prescribed guidelines which demonstrate efficient, effective and economic use of public funds. I have recently written to Chairpersons of agencies under the aegis of my Department and have requested them to confirm that their agency is in compliance with the prescribed guidelines.