Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Finance the level of expenses paid to the staff of the Revenue Commissioners in the past 12 months, in particular the level of moneys issued for overnight allowances; the average rate per head per night staying away from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42392/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The payment of expenses to civil servants in respect of costs incurred in connection with their official duties, including officials in the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, is provided for in Circulars issued by my Department. The rates payable in respect of expenses incurred in Ireland were reduced with effect from 5 March 2009 in line with a Government decision and are set out in Circular 07/2009. The rates payable in respect of expenses incurred in foreign travel vary depending on the destination. The current rates are those set out in Circular 24/2009.

The Estimates voted by this House provided €4.262 million to the Office of the Revenue Commissioners for 2009 in respect of travel and subsistence expenses for an average staff complement of 6,500. I understand that the amount spent to 31 October 2009 is €2.815 million. The Deputy enquired specifically about expenditure in respect of overnight allowances. The current overnight rate in the State is €108.99 (Class A) and €107.69 (Class B). This covers accommodation costs and meals, etc over a 24-hour period. I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the €2.815 million includes an amount of €0.902 million incurred under the overnight rates. The Revenue Commissioners have explained that the €2.815 million also includes amounts in respect of travel, whether by public transport or by private car. It also includes expenses incurred in attending meetings in Brussels and at other destinations abroad.

The Deputy will appreciate that the nature of the work carried out by Revenue necessitates a significant amount of travel and work away from desks, in particular their compliance and enforcement roles. Examples include audits, which yielded €569 million in 2008 and operations and investigations involving the prevention and detection of the illegal importation of cigarettes in the course of which 213 million cigarettes have been seized to date this year.