Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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232. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number and locations of regional budget briefings taking place throughout the country; the Ministers attending each briefing; the cost of holding each briefing; the cost of transporting Ministers to each briefing; if these costs are incurred by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43422/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that two regional budget briefings took place on Wednesday, 17th October 2018. The first session took place in the Athlone Civic Centre, Church Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath and was attended by both myself and Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Kevin Boxer Moran.  The second briefing session took place in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle, Co Kilkenny and was attended by Minister for Employment and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform, John Paul Phelan and myself.  Departmental officials liaised with Local Authorities who provided the venues and assisted with the issuing of the invitations.

The purpose of the briefing sessions was to provide people in regional areas with an opportunity to discuss the budget. The sessions involved a short video piece on the budget, an address by each of the Ministers in attendance and a questions and answers session.

It is not possible at this time to provide a figure for the cost of each briefing session until all payments have been processed. While each of the Ministers used their personal cars to transport them to these events, any other costs associated with travel in respect of additional departmental attendees will be forwarded to the Deputy as part of the overall cost of the briefings when the information is readily available.

There are no further regional budget briefings planned.