Written answers

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Departmental Staff Expenses

Photo of Barry CowenBarry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

338. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent in each of the years 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments and 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 the Revenue Commissioners concerns over practises in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23684/15]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The table below sets out the amounts spent on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments for the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015 as requested by the Deputy. These payments are made in accordance with the rates governed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Travel claims by staff are in compliance with my Department’s Travel and Subsistence Policy and Procedures which incorporates Department of Public Expenditure & Reform guidelines in this regard, and includes specific provision in relation to the use of taxis by staff.

2011
2012
2013 #
2014
2015 to date
Subsistence*
566,582.37
603,715.45
895,348.96
637890.39
281,610.10
Taxis*
12573.56
24530.7
45904.78
36022.77
16997.71

*The figures provided include payments made directly to staff and also to a service provider

#Includes Ireland's Presidency of the EU from January to June 2013

The Revenue Commissioners conducted an audit of tax compliance by my Department earlier this year. The audit team looked at a number of areas, including the areas mentioned in the Deputy’s question. The Revenue audit did not identify any additional liability for my Department. In addition to the scrutiny by the Revenue, I would also point out that expenditure on staff subsistence and staff taxi payments forms part of the Department’s overall expenditure which is audited on an annual basis by the Comptroller & Auditor General, as part of the Department’s Appropriation Account, and no tax compliance issues have arisen to date.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.