There are currently eight departmental credit cards issued to office holders and officials in my Department. I, as Minister, hold one credit card, and my Private Secretary, Press Officer and Special Adviser have each been issued with one credit card. One senior official has also been issued with a credit card. These cards are used generally for official expenses in connection with travel, including accommodation and subsistence expenses, and official hospitality.
The three remaining cards are for the general usage of the Department in the purchase of a range of goods and services, mainly the on-line purchase of publications and for booking training courses and conferences. It is the practice of the Department not to incur interest charges on credit cards, and such bills are generally paid on or before the due date.
The table sets out the cost of official purchases associated with credit cards. The table includes costs from 2003. Prior to 2003, records were not held in a manner which would facilitate the identification of such costs without undue administrative effort.
Year
|
€
|
2003
|
66,298.00
|
2004
|
73,451.00
|
2005
|
70,128.00
|
2006
|
42,399.00
|
To date in 2007
|
41,180.00
|