Vol. 466 No. 2
125 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the total cost of business class travel incurred by civil servants in his Department in 1995; the destinations to which officials travelled; and his policy on the use of business class travel. [11137/96]
126 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the total cost of all travel undertaken by civil servants in his Department in 1995; his policy in relation to such travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11151/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.
The total cost of all travel and subsistence by officials in my Department was £323,734.21 in 1995, inclusive of £102,360.08 in relation to travel on EU business, which is recoupable from the EU. The detailed information sought by the Deputy in relation to specific destinations to which officers travelled is not readily available, and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work. Policy in relation to officials travelling abroad for business purposes is that they avail of the class of travel which offers the most appropriate degree of flexibility required, consistent with the general requirement for value for money.
127 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the total cost of business class travel incurred by civil servants in his Department in 1995; the destinations to which officials travelled; and his policy on the use of business class travel. [11138/96]
128 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the total cost of all travel undertaken by civil servants in his Department in 1995; his policy in relation to such travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11152/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 128 together.
The cost of domestic and foreign travel, including subsistence and other associated costs, by officials of my Department in 1995 was £1,043,963.50. This figure includes the travel costs of the staff of the Department, the office of the Director of Consumer Affairs, the Companies Registration Office and the evaluation unit for the EU Industry Operational Programme. The cost figure does not take account of any refunds from the EU and other sources which may already have been received or are due in resepect of trips undertaken by officers of the Department.
129 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the total cost of business class travel incurred by civil servants in his Department in 1995; the destinations to which officials travelled; and his policy on the use of business class travel. [11139/96]
The total cost of business class travel incurred by civil servants in my Department in 1995 was approximately £825,000.
The main destinations to which they travelled were as follows: Brussels, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK.
Overall we organise our travel in the most efficient manner available bearing in mind the need for flexibility and quality of service.
130 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the total cost of all travel undertaken by civil servants in his Departments in 1995; his policy in relation to such travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11153/96]
The total cost of all travel undertaken and related subsistence costs by civil servants in my Department in 1995 was £8.2 million. Travel undertaken by officials of the Department is an essential prerequisite to enable the Department implement various measures, including disease eradication, premia schemes, meat inspection as well as necessary attendance at EU and other international meetings.
