Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money spent on hotel accommodation by his Department and each State agency under the aegis of his Department for each of the years 2004 to date in 2008; if he will provide the information available in tabular readable form. [46680/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The table sets out the expenditure on hotel accommodation by my Department (including Met Éireann) for each of the years from 2004 to date. Expenditure on hotel accommodation by the State agencies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the agencies themselves.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the procurement arrangements in place in his Department and each State agency under the aegis of his Department for the sourcing of hotel accommodation for him, for his departmental staff and staff at each State agency, when overnight accommodation is necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46695/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The sourcing of hotel accommodation, where an overnight stay is necessary, is generally organised at section level in the Department, or by my Ministerial Office in the case of my own travel requirements. The Department of Finance sets and amends, as appropriate, subsistence rates for hotel and other accommodation expenses, which my Department applies.

Some foreign hotel accommodation is also booked through the Department's travel provider, which negotiates corporate rates with hotels on behalf of the Department.

In the case of block bookings for conferences and other such events, the Department, in line with procurement guidelines, obtains a number of quotes from local hotels in order to secure the most competitive rates possible.

The sourcing of hotel accommodation by the State agencies under my aegis is a matter for the agencies themselves and they have been reminded of the need to comply with Department of Finance guidance on travel and subsistence.