Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 121: To ask the Taoiseach 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. [44826/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My Department and the agencies under its remit are in compliance with the Department of Finance guidelines on foreign travel. My Department has a travel policy which is applicable to all staff and which sets out the policy regarding appropriate means of travel to be used. Foreign travel arrangements are centrally co-ordinated by my Department's Finance Unit which ensures that the travel policy and Department of Finance guidelines are complied with. A designated Travel Officer has responsibility for making all bookings. Procedures are also in place to monitor travel bookings on an ongoing basis to ensure that best value for money is obtained.

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is in compliance with the Department of Finance guidelines on foreign travel. The Department of Finance circulars and instructions concerning travel, subsistence and associated expenses have been brought to its attention by my Department and arrangements are in place in NESDO to ensure continued compliance with the circulars.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) is fully compliant with all Department of Finance guidelines on foreign travel. The CSO's control mechanisms include a documented travel policy and the use of a centralised booking service with a single point of access within the CSO. There is an emphasis on obtaining value for money and the vast majority of flights booked are economy class. As a control measure, the relevant senior manager is notified in advance of all foreign travel arrangements and costs.