Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her Department's work place travel plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5855/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Department operates a travel pass scheme encouraging staff members to use public transport in lieu of car transport thus helping to reduce the level of carbon emissions. Official travel by staff members is continually monitored to ensure that such travel is kept to the minimum commensurate with the need for them to effectively perform their functions. Where feasible, staff members use public transport when travelling on official business.

In addition, the Department is currently analysing the options for the implementation of the recent Budget measure for the introduction of a tax exempt scheme for the provision of bicycles by employers to employees which is designed to encourage people to cycle to work.

In recent years all the Department's new buildings are provided with bicycle parks as part of their standard fit-out.