Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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228. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of credit cards issued to Ministers and officials working in his Department; the amount spent on credit cards by his Department in 2014 and in 2015; the amount of bank interest paid on credit cards in 2014 and 2015; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on personally held credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work-related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24742/16]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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There were seven credit cards in use by the Minister for Finance and his officials in 2014 and six credit cards in use by the Minister for Finance and his officials in 2015. The amount spent in respect of all these credit cards in 2014 was €13,123.19 inclusive of €13.23 bank interest and €16,927.43 in 2015 inclusive of €1.36 bank interest.

There are guidelines in place to ensure the appropriate use of credit cards in my Department. These make it clear to staff that the use of the Departmental credit cards is strictly for business purposes.

Requests for cards must be sanctioned at senior management level (Assistant Secretary level or above), and a statement outlining the necessity for the card must be provided in relation to any request for the provision of an official credit card. All cards that are no longer required must be returned to Facilities Management Unit of my Department who arrange the issuing of credit cards and organising payment of monthly bills in respect of official credit cards.

Each officer who hold an official credit card receives a copy of their monthly statement and is required to certify that all charges incurred are correct and are of an official nature and they need to certify that the appropriate approval had been obtained for the expenditure. In cases where approval is required by a senior officer, the statement should be countersigned by the relevant senior officer and include receipts, in all cases. In the event that a receipt cannot be provided, the officer in question is required to provide a detailed explanation of the charge. A hard copy of the statement, certified as being in order for payment, must be returned to the Facilities Management Unit in order that payment can be made.

In the case of official entertainment, an entertainment claim form must be completed and approved in accordance with the official guideline governing the amount that may be spent on official entertainment. A copy of this form must be forwarded to the Facilities Management Unit.

Occasionally there are requests to use the credit card held specifically by the Facilities Management Unit for purchases of work related goods or services. The relevant officer needs to complete a credit card application form giving details as to the item being purchased. The form must be signed off by a senior officer in the section and receipts if available or explanation in respect of the item required and cost must be forwarded to the Facilities Management Unit.

The rules also cover personal purchases made by an individual officer and require the making of a payment and an explanation as to the reason for the specific purchase. Significant use of a departmental credit card for personal purposes can result in it being withdrawn.

Officers may use their personal credit cards for official purposes. These are more often for travel or accommodation costs incurred as part of official business inside and outside Ireland. Travel and accommodation costs are reclaimed via the core portal system where the expenditure is subject to checking and confirmation by a more senior officer. Invoices are required to be provided and retained to support any such expenses claims.

Finally I would also point out that expenditure on departmental credit cards are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General to ensure that correct procedures are being followed in relation to the issue and use of Departmental credit cards.

Given the small number of credit cards in use and the oversight and controls exercised by my Department I am satisfied that there are appropriate processes and procedures in place to manage expenditure on departmental credit cards.