Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a copy of the Tipperary Education and Training Board, ETB, policy on expenses in place currently. [41358/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department contacted the ETB in relation to this matter and the ETB has supplied the following copy of its expenses policy for the information of the Deputy.

Tipperary ETB

Procedures for Payment of Travel & Subsistence

Procedures for the payment of Travelling Expenses and Subsistence Allowances

The following procedures, in line with DES and other regulations, for the payment of travelling expenses, will apply to all staff of TIPPERARY EDUCATION & TRAINING BOARD

General Rules

1.Travelling and Subsistence allowances are payable only in respect of necessary absence from the employee's headquarters. All travelling should be planned as efficiently as possible so as to reduce the amount of travel involved.

2. An allowance shall be paid only in respect of travel and subsistence expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of an employee's official duty.

3. All official travel should be by the shortest practicable routes and by the cheapest practicable mode of conveyance.

4. The subsistence allowance payable is not intended to meet the whole cost of the Subsistence when absent from home and headquarters and is not intended to be a source of emolument or profit.

5. Travelling expenses will not be paid in respect of any portion of a journey which Covers all, or part, of a person's usual route between home and headquarters.

6. When a person proceeds on an official journey direct from home or returns home direct, the travelling allowance payable will be calculated by reference to the distance from home or the school/headquarters, whichever is the lesser.

7. An officer/employee will be authorised to use private transport for reasons Connected with school business only in the following circumstances where;

a) No suitable public transport (i.e. train or bus) is available

b) Public transport is suitable only at equal or greater expense

c) The use of public transport would result in the loss of official time which it is necessary to avoid.

8. Where more than one person is travelling to the same meeting, arrangements should be made to avoid the unnecessary duplication of the use of more than one car.

9. Taxis or cars should only be hired when no suitable transport is available. Vouchers should be supplied with all such claims.

10. Travel and subsistence allowance is not payable for an absence at any place within 8 Kilometres of the school/place of work or a person's normal place of residence. Subject to the foregoing, a day allowance is payable in respect of an absence from home or school of 5 hours or more.

11. Travel and subsistence claims should be submitted for payment to Head Office by the first Monday of each month and certainly within two months of the journey having been made.

12. Deductions to be made from the subsistence rate to take account of meals provided to an officer at no cost to himself/herself, are as follows;

a) Where lunch or dinner is provided, a 5 hour rate should be deducted;

b) Where both lunch and dinner are provided, a 10 hour rate should be deducted;

c) Where breakfast is provided, half the appropriate 5 hour rate should be deducted.

13. All claims should show:

a) The purpose of the journey.

b) The mode of transport used.

c) If private transport is used, the cubic capacity of the engine.

d) The total mileage travelled (as outlined in paragraphs 1 to 8 above).

e) The actual date(s) and times of departure from and return to school/claimant's residence/headquarters as outlined in paragraph 12 above.

f) A certificate of attendance must accompany any courses, in service, meetings of cultural activities, games etc. which are being claimed for. The claim will not be paid unless certificate is attached.

14. It shall be the responsibility of each officer/employee (who uses his/her vehicle in the performance of official duties) to certify the accuracy of his/her claim in accordance with these regulations and to ensure:

a) Compliance with legal requirements in respect of driving licence, vehicle licence and motor insurance. Evidence of such compliance shall be made available on request to the person's supervisors or other officer authorised by the Chief Executive Officer.

b) His/her motor insurance policy provides an indemnity to the TETB and covers use of the vehicle in the performance of official duties. It is the responsibility of the individual to explain to his/her insurers the extent of use of the vehicle in the performance of official duties.

c) A distinction should be made between travelling incurred in the course of the day-to-day business and attendance at in-service training. d) Mileage claimed is in accordance with the ETB's approved schedule of mileages. Exceptions should be clearly explained.

Approval of the Chief Executive Officer is received where claims are more than 2 months in arrears.