asked the Minister for Health if he will state the cost of officially provided Christmas greeting cards sent by him in 1968; if the postage was provided free by his Department and, if so, the cost; if he can give an estimate of cards on order for this year; and if the cards will be sent post free.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Christmas Greeting Cards.
12.
The cost of officially provided Christmas greeting cards sent by the Minister for Health in 1968 amounted to £110. The postage was provided free by my Department. The accounting practice is to charge each Department an annual sum for postage and the cost of individual items is not ascertainable. However, on the basis of the normal postage charges the cost would be in the region of £18. Information is not yet available regarding the cost of cards for this year. They will be sent post free.
Does the Minister propose to discontinue the practice?
That is a separate question.
I propose to continue the practice.
(Interruptions.)
Is the sending of Christmas cards considered to be official business?
We receive an enormous number of Christmas cards from people both inside and outside the country and it is customary to send cards. This has been the custom for many years and the total amount involved in relation to the total budget for the Department is negligible.
Is the sending of Christmas cards to constituents and other people considered to be official business?
That would not be considered official but Ministers may vary in their practices. In the case of my Department it is quite evident that the total number of cards do not involve any great expenditure.
So it is all a big fiddle.