Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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70. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Local Authority National Partnership Advisory Group undertook and funded an international trip to New York from 7 to 15 September 2001; if it has been brought to his attention that the total cost of flight and accommodation for the six person delegation was €31,970; if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown of the €31,970 expenditure; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in addition to the expenditure of €31,970, each participant in the delegation received a sum of €1,303.42 travel and subsistence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43685/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Local Government Management Services Board (LGMSB, now the Local Government Management Agency or LGMA) acted as the host agency for The Local Authority National Partnership Advisory Group. I understand that a LANPAG Study Visit to New York took place from 7 to 15 September 2001 with seven participants. An eighth person was due to join the visit on 11 September 2001, flying from Shannon to Washington, but the flight was cancelled as a result of the tragic events of 9/11. Meetings were arranged to take place in Washington from 11 to 13 September 2001 but the flights involved were also cancelled.

The information requested in relation to the fights is outlined in the table below. The original invoice from the travel agent with the breakdown of cost per flight is no longer available in the LGMA.

The hotel accommodation costs covered eight nights for the seven participants, fifty six nights in total.

The travel and subsistence allowance of €1,303.42 each participant received was in accordance with the rates applicable at the time.