Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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1032. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he 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. [36040/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I would like to inform the Deputy there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department’s Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO). The OCO does not have a Board.

I can assure the Deputy that these four agencies are aware of their responsibilities with regard to all travel, including foreign travel, in respect of each official trip undertaken in accordance with Part 17 and Appendix VI of the Revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2009 and that they ensure that appropriate procedures are in place to monitor, report and enforce the relevant rules and requirements regarding overseas travel.