Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2023

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Official Travel

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

264. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total costs of accommodation and travel expenses associated with her recent foreign trip, or foreign trips by Ministers for State at her Department, for St Patrick’s Day; and if a breakdown can be provided on travel costs, accommodation costs, country/state visited, number of departmental staff accompanying her, and the duration of the trip, in tabular form. [14751/23]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of travel costs to date relating to St Patrick's Day is set out in the table below. The Deputy may wish to note that not all costs have yet been finalised.

Minister / Minister of State Country / State Visited Duration of Trip Travel Costs Accommodation Costs Number of Accompanying Departmental Staff
Minister Catherine Martin USA / California (Los Angeles and San Diego) 8 - 15 March €8,650 See Note above 3
Minister of State Thomas Byrne USA / Texas (Austin & Dallas) 14- 20 March €7,639 See Note above 2
Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan(see note below) Thailand 14-19 March €406 €124 N/A

With regard to the costs set out in the table for Minister of State O’Donovan, these relate only to the costs incurred by my Department for the booking of a flight and accommodation, which were required as a result of travel disruption experienced on his return journey. All other information in relation to this Ministerial mission is a matter for the Office of Public Works, under the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

All flights were booked in accordance with Government Guidelines. My Department makes an annual payment to the Climate Action Fund scheme, administered by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to offset emissions for travel on commercial flights, in accordance with Circular 01/2020 (D/PER).

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.