Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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672. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she is confident that all overseas travel undertaken by staff in State agencies is necessary; if the agencies ensure that there is a robust business case submitted before travel is sanctioned; if the agency ensures that the objective of the travel cannot be achieved through other means; if, upon their return, the staff have to submit a report on the work carried out while they were on agency business overseas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36049/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Pensions Board, the Citizens Information Board and the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman operate under the remit of my Department. The Chief Executive Officers for each Agency and the Pensions Ombudsman in the case of the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman, each of whom is the respective Accounting Officer, are responsible for the approval of travel and the payment of travel and subsistence for official business in their respective offices.

Agencies must operate in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform rules and regulations in relation to foreign travel. The Agencies under my aegis have confirmed that they only sanction travel where necessary, where business cases are submitted in advance and the objectives cannot be achieved through other means. On return staff report on the work carried out while away on agency business.