Written answers

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Department of Education and Science

Foreign Travel

9:00 pm

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1533: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount spent by him and Ministers of State, officials, persons in agencies, offices or bodies under the remit of his Department, on foreign travel in the period 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1436/09]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The total amount spent by my Department on Foreign Travel in 2008 was €262,395. This included expenditure on flights, hotel accommodation and subsistence.

With regard to bodies under the aegis of my Department the expenditure incurred is a matter for each agency and this information is not collated centrally.

It is the responsibility of each agency under the aegis of my Department to ensure full compliance with the prescribed guidelines in relation to foreign travel and to have appropriate procedures in place to ensure compliance with prescribed guidelines which demonstrate efficient, effective and economic use of public funds. I have written to Chairpersons of agencies under the aegis of my Department and have requested them to ensure that their agency is in compliance with the prescribed guidelines.

Table 1: Staffing Position at 31 December 2008
Special Adviser/ Press OfficerPrivate SecretaryPersonal AssistantExecutive OfficerStaff OfficerClerical OfficerTotalPersonal Appointment
Private Office2*11*214113
Constituency Office1*231
*Denotes individuals personally appointed by me.
Table 2: Administrative Budget Details at 31 December, 2008
2008Total PayTravel and SubsistenceOvertime
Minister for Health and Children Private Office899,273.76† 40,501.073,141.46
Minister for Health and Children Constituency Office151,597.73†00
†The total pay for both my offices is the actual amount paid for the year 2008.

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