Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Health and Children 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. [44823/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department has strict policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with the Department of Finance Guidelines on Foreign Travel. My Department has a limited budget available for foreign travel. Only essential travel is undertaken and officers of the Department are required to ensure the most cost effective options are utilised in line with the Guidelines.

My Department, along with most other Departments, utilises the services of a travel agent who was awarded a contract following a selection process co-ordinated by the Department of Finance. The travel agent is also required to ensure best value for money. My Department has a designated officer who is responsible for making foreign travel arrangements in line with the Guidelines.

Department of Finance circulars on travel and subsistence, including foreign travel, have been re-issued on the 28th November, 2008 to all Agencies established under aegis of this Department. Ongoing compliance with the provisions of these circulars will be monitored as part of the Departments Framework for Corporate and Financial Governance which applies to all of these Agencies.