Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 May 1992

Vol. 419 No. 6

Written Answers. - Departmental Entertainment Expenses.

Mervyn Taylor

Question:

80 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Health the amount of his Department's budget for entertainment expenses for each of the last five years together with the estimated figures for 1992; the trend indicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

The amount of my Department's budget for entertainment expenses for the last five years is:—

Year	Amount
	£
1987*	10,847.04
1988*	8,796.45
1989	40,665.11
1990	82,622.71
1991	64,823.38
1992 (est)	70,000.00

*The figures shown for 1987 and 1988 do not include expenditure on State Receptions hosted by the Minister for Health in those years. All such expenditure prior to 1989 was funded directly from the Vote for the Department of Finance.

The increased amount expended in 1990 was in the main due to Ireland's presidency of the EC.

The Deputy will appreciate that the amount expended in any year on official entertainment is largely determined by the numbers of distinguished visitors received and the numbers of international conferences (requiring State Receptions) which are held in Ireland.