Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form if possible, a list of the bank accounts used by his Department and separately any agencies within the remit of his Department; the purpose of each bank account and the financial institution the bank account is with; the total amount of any interest charged or bank fees incurred by his Department and separately by each agency in 2011 and anticipated figure for 2012; the percentage of payments issued by his Department and each agency which are issued electronically and if the Department agency has any special arrangement in place on the issue of bank charges and fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44845/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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My Department operates two commercial bank accounts (one current and one deposit) with Bank of Ireland. The purpose of the current account is to facilitate supplier and grant payments and the deposit account is used for cash and credit card receipts. There are no fees payable in respect of either account. A monthly fee of €15 is paid in respect of the provision of banking online facilities. No interest was charged in 2011 and €26 was paid in respect of 2012 to date. At present, 95% of all payments made by my Department are issued electronically.

Issues relating to the operation of bank accounts in State Bodies under the aegis of my Department are an operational matter for the individual Bodies in the first instance and I have no function in this regard. I will however, ask the Agencies under the aegis of my Department to reply directly to the Deputy in the matter.