Written answers
Thursday, 16 July 2015
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Departmental Expenditure
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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863. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost in 2013 and in 2014 of printing reports by her Department and agencies under the control of her Department; the corresponding figure for annual reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30034/15]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that the total printing costs paid from my Department's Administrative Budget in 2014 was €2,946 while the corresponding figure for 2013 was €24,553. In the interests of completeness, it should also be noted that printing costs totalling €16,200 in 2013 and €2,000 in 2014 were also incurred in relation to the production of the three-volume report on the Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland 2013. In addition, the costs associated with printing the National Peatlands Strategy in 2014 amounted to €13,300.
No printing costs are incurred in relation to the publication of my Department's Annual Reports, which are published online and are available on my Department’s website.
With regard to bodies funded from my Department's Vote, the matters raised are part of the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the bodies in question. I am arranging, therefore, for the terms of the Deputy’s Question to be transmitted to the heads of relevant bodies with a request that they provide the requested information directly to the Deputy.
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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864. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost in 2013 and in 2014 of issuing hardcopy payslips to staff or retired staff by her Department and agencies under the control of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30049/15]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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During the period in question, payroll services for my Department, the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland were provided by the Financial Shared Service operated by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I am advised that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is arranging for the provision of the information requested by the Deputy in respect of all clients of that service. With regard to bodies funded from my Department’s Vote which were not clients of the Financial Shared Service, the operation of payroll services are part of the day-to-day operational responsibilities of such bodies. However, I am advised that the estimated annual costs incurred in the issuing of hard copy payslips to staff and pensioners of these bodies in each of the years in question was in the order of €14,000.
Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Independent)
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865. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will outline and itemise all expenditure undertaken by her Department on private travel for her and-or her private office, on legal fees, on consultancy fees and on hotel accommodation during the 12-month period to 30 June 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30064/15]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has incurred no expenditure in respect of private travel by me or my private office staff. Under the official travel guidelines issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, reimbursements of travel expenses can only occur in respect of costs incurred in the course of carrying out official duties. Details of the costs incurred in respect of official travel undertaken by the staff of my private office and by me during the period specified by the Deputy are as follows:
Expense Type | Minister | Ministerial Staff |
---|---|---|
Mileage | €15,682 | €1,651 |
Subsistence | €1,575 | €13,027 |
Air Fares | €7,246 | €4,548 |
Hotel Accommodation | €1,374 | €2,443 |
Miscellaneous | €1,502 | €2,218 |
Expenditure on consultancy fees from my Department's Administrative Budget during the specified period was €24,907, was as follows:
Company | Purpose | Amount Paid |
---|---|---|
Fitzpatrick Associates | Ulster Canal – updated business case | €15,190 |
Public Affairs Ireland | Údarás na Gaeltachta - review of management structure | €9,717 |
Details of expenditure by my Department are available in the annual Appropriation Accounts published by the Comptroller and Auditor General at
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