Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount spent annually by the Central Bank on entertainment from 2007 to 2010 and the amount spent to date in 2011, including the amount spent in their private boardroom, and in that breakdown if he will provide the amount of that annual spend that was used to purchase alcohol in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26774/11]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount spent annually by the Central Bank on taxis from 2007 to 2010 and the amount spent to date in 2011 in tabular form; if any of that spend is included in their entertainment budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26776/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together.

I am not responsible for expenditure by the Central Bank. However, the Central Bank has advised me in the following terms:

The Central Bank does not have a specific entertainment budget. Based on available records the following estimated costs reflect expenses not directly related to business operations. These estimated costs include a range of staff events such as subsidised staff retirement functions (some 60) and special events.

2007: €20,000

2008: €155,000

2009: €35,000

2010: €65,000

2011: €45,000

In respect of the taxi-related costs incurred by the Central Bank, it is important to note that the period 2007-2011 saw a corresponding increase in the level of prudential on-site and review meetings with regulated entities, a significant increase in the number of staff and additional Central Bank accommodation in terms of new buildings, specifically at Spencer Dock and Harcourt Street. The following table sets out those costs.

2007: €20,000

2008: €30,000

2009: €40,000

2010: €50,000

2011: €45,000