Written answers

Tuesday, 17 May 2011

Department of Social Protection

Departmental Expenditure

6:00 pm

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm the number of credit cards issued by her and to whom; the criteria for issuing such cards; the credit card company used; if a competitive process was used to select the company; if the facility has had to be withdrawn from any person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11560/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There are currently six credit cards in use by officers of the Department and one by the Pensions Ombudsman who operates under aegis of the Department and for whom the Department makes payments in respect of administration costs. Details of the cardholders are set out in the following table.

GradeSectionCompany
Assistant PrincipalInformation UnitAmerican Express
Pension OmbudsmanOffice of the Pension OmbudsmanAmerican Express
Assistant PrincipalEU InternationalAmerican Express
Assistant PrincipalStaff Development UnitBank of Ireland
Private SecretaryMinister's OfficeBank of Ireland
Assistant PrincipalCentral IT ServicesBank of Ireland
Assistant PrincipalAppeals OfficeBank of Ireland

The number of cards issued is very strictly limited to instances where a strong business case for their use is made to the Accountant of the Department. Credit Cards are used for official purposes only and are generally used for room hire, purchase of equipment, software, air-fares, fees and official entertainment. Credit card holders are made aware of procedures for the use of the card and sign a form of undertaking to abide by the conditions of use for credit cards as set down by the Department.

There was no competitive process used in selecting the companies the Department uses for the issue of credit cards.

The facility has never had to be withdrawn from any person apart from when officials are moving from their role in the business area that requires use of a credit card.

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