Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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251. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost in 2013 and in 2014 of printing reports by his Department and agencies under the control of his Department; the corresponding figure for annual reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30045/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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In response to the Deputy's question the Department of Finance provides a shared print service to my Department and details of annual expenditure for 2013 and 2014 will be provided in the reply from that department.

The tables provide information on expenditure of printing reports for bodies under my aegis in 2013 and 2014.

The OPW have indicated that they will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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252. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost in 2013 and in 2014 of issuing hard copy payslips to staff or retired staff by his Department and agencies under the control of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30060/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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In response to the Deputy's question the Department of Finance provided a shared service to my Department in relation to the issuing of payslips to current members of staff up to September 2014 when the service was transferred to the Payroll Shared Services Centre.  The Office of the Paymaster General provides the payment pension service for retired civil servants.  The Department of Finance will answer this question on behalf of my Department. 

The total costs for the NSSO related to the issuing of hard copy payslips in 2014 was €172,066, excluding staff costs.  The 2014 payslip costs of €172,066.00 incurred by the NSSO were for the 13,500 members of An Garda Síochána, who were on a weekly payroll, and 3,200 Irish Prison Officers, who were on a fortnightly payroll.  There were no 2013 costs to the NSSO as it only took on the payroll function for An Garda Síochana and the Prison Service at the very end of 2013. The Payroll Shared Services Project is working with all client organisations to implement the standard self-service design of the payroll system which facilitates on-line access to payslips and reduces the requirement for the issue of hard copy remittances.

As the Deputy may be aware on line payslips are available to staff members however where they are absent on maternity leave or sick leave their payslips are posted to their home addresses.  The tables provide details of postages costs incurred by bodies under my aegis in 2013 and 2014.

The OPW have indicated that they will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Independent)
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253. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline and itemise all expenditure undertaken by his Department, on private travel for his and-or for his private office; on legal fees; on consultancy fees; on hotel accommodation, during the twelve month period to 30 June 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30075/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform does not pay for any private travel for me or my Private Office.

Turning to the specific question regarding hotel accommodation, the expenses for the period requested in respect of my Private Secretary, my Special Adviser and me:

- Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform: 11/09/14-12/09/14 - OECD Visit, Paris, €225.00; 23/02/15-24/02/15 - ERDF meeting and signing ceremony, Brussels , €149.28; 09/03/15-22/03/15 - Promote Ireland programme for St Patricks Day, Japan/Rep of Korea, €1590.07.

- Private Secretary to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform: 1/09/14-12/09/14 - OECD Visit, Paris, €175.00; 23/02/15-24/02/15 - ERDF meeting and signing ceremony, Brussels, €149.28; 09/03/15-22/03/15 - Promote Ireland programme for St Patricks Day, Japan/Rep of Korea, €1579.92; 07/06/15-09/06/15 - Informal meeting of Ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy, Riga, €280.00.

- Special Adviser to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform: 23/02/15-24/02/15 - ERDF meeting and signing ceremony, Brussels, €149.28.

For the Deputy's information, Ministerial Mileage from March 2011 to March 2015 is available on my Departments' website

Information in respect of April 2015, May 2015, June 2015 will be published on the Departments' website shortly.

The following table outlines expenditure on legal fees from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 in my Department.

Legal Fees from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015

The following table outlines expenditure on consultancy fees from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 in my Department.

Consultancy Fees from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015

My Department ensures that every effort is made to limit the use of consultants where possible.  All contracts are negotiated with a view to achieving best value for money and are kept under review to ensure this is maintained.  When the use of consultants is unavoidable the staff in my Department ensure appropriate skills transfer to reduce the requirement for consultants going forward.

The OPW will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.