Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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121. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the protocol in respect of assistant principal and principal officers using their private cars and claiming unvouched expenses when official cars are available in his Department; if he has received any complaints regarding same; and the oversight that is in place to deal with same. [14837/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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My Department has a number of official vehicles which are used by staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service based in the regions and by archaeologists in the discharge of their official duties. As the Deputy will appreciate, staff whose duties include working in remote terrain that may be difficult to reach in some instances may require access to specialist vehicles from time to time in order to carry out their duties. The allocation and usage of official vehicles is strictly monitored in accordance with the Department's Policy and Basic Rules on Use of Official Vehicles.

All travel and subsistence within my Department, including that by assistant principal officers and principal officers, is undertaken in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidance on such matters. All travel budgets within my Department are allocated according to need and compliance with these budgets is closely monitored. I am not aware of any complaints regarding these matters.