Written answers

Tuesday, 20 September 2011

Department of An Taoiseach

Departmental Expenditure

9:00 pm

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 99: To ask the Taoiseach the details of spending, using Departmental credit cards held by Department staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in his Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by his Department on entertainment provided using said credit card. [23319/11]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The following table details the total spend on Departmental credit cards over the past four years, and the amount that relates to entertainment expenditure:

YearTotal SpendTotal Spend on EntertainmentNo of Cards
2008€79,410.24€22,460.8929
2009€28,809.55€7,328.9725
2010€15,351.14€2,982.4819
2011 (Jan - Aug)€15,549.12€2,370.988

There are eight Departmental credit cards in operation at present, two of which have a credit limit of €4,000 and the remaining six have a limit of €2,500.00. The cards are held by the following officials:

Head of Information Technology Unit

Head of Library Services/Archives Private Secretary to the Taoiseach

Private Secretary to Government Chief Whip

Private Secretary to the Minister of State for European Affairs

Assistant Secretary, European and International Affairs

Head of Management Services Unit

Finance Officer

Departmental credit cards are used for official purposes only. They are allocated to officials where the facility will be of practical use in meeting the requirements of official business, for example, to facilitate meeting of travel expenses and official entertainment while away from the office, the procurement of goods and services such as on-line conference bookings, air travel, purchase of IT equipment and library supplies.

The use of official credit cards is closely monitored by the Department's Finance Unit. Expenditure must generally be supported by receipts submitted by card holders each month as part of the approval process for the associated expenditure. The allocation and use of official credit cards are reviewed on an ongoing basis, with a view to minimising the number of cards allocated, and credit limits are assigned in line with requirements for official use on a case by case basis.

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