James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Defence the changes in the travel and subsistence costs (details supplied) that necessitate the 15% increase provided for in the A2 subhead of the 2010 Estimates for defence and Army pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29961/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The amount provided for Departmental travel and subsistence costs in the 2009 Defence Estimate was €396,000 while actual expenditure was €286,000. This saving was achieved through prudent management in line with the requirement to reduce public expenditure wherever possible, and to a lower than anticipated requirement for non-EU foreign travel. In addition, home subsistence and motor travel rates were reduced in March 2009.

The corresponding amount provided in the 2010 Estimate is €330,000 representing a reduction of 17% on the 2009 provision and an increase of 15% on the 2009 outturn. The allocation for 2010 includes provision for foreign travel costs associated with contract negotiations, Ministerial support duties and UN commitments.