Written answers
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Departmental Expenditure
Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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575. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent per annum in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 on staff subsistence payments, staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits-in-kind; if these processes have been revised in view of Revenue Commissioner's concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49321/14]
Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The table below outlines the amount paid in subsistence and taxi payments in my Department from 2011 to date.
2011 (000) | 2012 (000) | 2013 (000) | 2014 (to date) (000) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsistence payments | 197 | 214 | 187 | 191 |
| Taxi payments | 24 | 26 | 35 | 30 |
All travel and subsistence payments made to staff in my Department are made in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regulations. In respect of vouched expenses, for example, taxis, receipts are required and staff are required to keep them and have them available for inspection if required. Furthermore, costs claimed are in respect of expenses already incurred. As part of their annual audit, the Comptroller and Auditor General carries out an audit of payments, including subsistence payments, to ensure compliance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regulations. There are no benefit in kind payments made to staff in my Department.
In relation to the tax compliance, the Revenue Commissioners have not undertaken an audit of my Department in relation to these payments.
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