Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

140. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the annual saving to the Exchequer from a reduction of 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17% and 20%, respectively, in travel and associated expenses for his Department. [30131/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In response to the Deputy's questions the total annual cost of travel and expenses incurred by my Department, the Shared Services Centre and the Office of Government Procurement in 2013 amounted to €278,000, €125,000 and €300,000 respectively giving a total of €703,000. Similarly €3,454,356 was incurred for the same period in the Office of Public Works.

The following tables outline the percentage annual savings to the Exchequer of reductions to travel and expenses in my Department and the Office of Public Works:

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform - Potential Annual Savings in Travel and Expenses

Office of Public Works - Potential Annual Savings in Travel and Expenses

It should also be noted that while the majority of travel and subsistence paid relates to subsistence which are set amounts that can be reduced or increased there are also incidental expenses which are the payment of actual costs incurred by the claimant. Any such savings could only be achieved if a cross-Departmental reduction in subsistence rates was agreed or if the travel was not essential to the delivery of the strategic goals of the Department.