Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount of money spent on hotel accommodation by her Department and each State agency under the aegis of her Department for each of the years 2004 to date in 2008; if she will provide the information available in tabular readable form. [46683/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The information requested by the Deputy in relation to my Department is contained in the table below. My Department has also requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy on this matter. The information in relation to the other state agencies under the aegis of my Department is not readily available and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the procurement arrangements in place in her Department and each State agency under the aegis of her Department for the sourcing of hotel accommodation for her, for her Departmental staff and staff at each State agency, when overnight accommodation is necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46698/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department has strict policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with Department of Finance Guidelines on travel and subsistence. Along with most other Departments, it uses the services of a travel agent who was awarded a contract following a selection process co-ordinated by the Department of Finance. As part of its remit, this agent provides a hotel booking service at discounted rates to ensure best value for money. With respect to sourcing hotel accommodation abroad for myself and officials travelling with me, the relevant Irish Embassy or Consulate General provides my office with a number of options following which a selection is made based on convenience and cost.

Each Agency established under the Aegis of my Department is responsible for sourcing or procuring its own hotel accommodation for agency staff when required. Each Agency is obliged to comply with the Department of Finance circulars on travel and subsistence and compliance is monitored by the internal audit function. Where hotel accommodation is being procured, Agencies must comply with relevant public service guidelines on procurement as set out in this Department's Framework for Corporate and Financial Governance, 2006, for Agencies funded by this Department.