Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Apr 1992

Vol. 418 No. 7

Written Answers. - Departmental Budget.

Mervyn Taylor

Question:

61 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will make a statement outlining the amount of his Department's budget for entertainment expenses for each of the last five years together with the estimated figure for 1992; and if he will further make a statement on the trend suggested by these figures.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My Department's expenditure on State and official entertainment over the past five years was as follows:

	Expenditure
	£
1987	36,500
1988	53,900
1989	49,600
1990	175,000
1991	62,600

The budget allocation for 1992 is £90,000.

The amount expended on State and official entertainment is largely determined by the numbers of distinguished visitors received and/or the numbers of conferences, receptions, etc. hosted by Ministers and the Department. Expenditure for 1990 was higher than usual arising from Ireland's Presidency of the Council of Ministers.