Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the cost in relation to foreign travel, accommodation and related ministerial and official costs associated with St. Patrick's Day 2008; and the plans for St. Patrick's Day 2009 and the projected cost. [6161/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The total paid by my Department in respect of the St. Patrick's Day Ministerial programme for 2008, including the cost of officials and advisors who accompanied me and the Ministers of State at my Department, are detailed below.

I attended the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Prague, Czech Republic. The total cost of the visit, including the cost of one official, a special advisor and the deputy Government Press Secretary, who accompanied me, was €4,859.

The then Minister for Children, Deputy Brendan Smith, represented the Government at the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Munich, Germany. The total cost of the visit, including the cost of one official who accompanied him, was €4,259. The then Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, represented the Government at the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in San Francisco, USA. The total cost of the visit, including the cost of one official who accompanied him, was €25,926. The then Minister of State at my Department, Dr. Jimmy Devins, represented the Government at the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in New Zealand. The total cost of the visit, including the cost of one official who accompanied him, was €28,471. The Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Máire Hoctor, represented the Government at the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Philadelphia, USA. The total cost of the visit, including the cost of one official who accompanied her, was €15,854.

The St. Patrick's Day Ministerial programme for 2009 is not yet finalised and projected costs cannot be determined at this stage.