Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 606: To ask the Minister for Education and Science 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. [46678/08]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 607: To ask the Minister for Education and Science 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. [46693/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 606 and 607 together.

The information in relation to expenditure on hotel accommodation by my Department is being compiled and will be forwarded to the deputy as soon as possible. In relation to the procurement arrangements in place in my Department the position is as follows. In instances where overnight accommodation is required for particular purposes for example conferences, training and development programmes etc where possible, quotes are obtained from a range of hotels which best meet the accommodation and facilities requirements of the particular event. Advice is usually sought from the local Irish embassy in relation to obtaining suitable accommodation for the Minister at official events abroad. With regard to bodies under the aegis of my Department the expenditure incurred and the procurement arrangements are a matter for each agency and this information is not collated centrally.

I recently wrote to the Chairpersons of agencies under my Department's aegis to remind them of the need to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in respect of expenditure of public funds generally and in particular in relation to business travel and subsistence expenditure. I emphasised the importance of the agencies being in a position to provide assurance, through appropriate control procedures and monitoring arrangements, that the necessary measures are in place to ensure compliance with prescribed procedures in relation to expenditure and that such procedures are documented and being implemented as required by statute, regulation or guideline as appropriate.