Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2007
813 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33580/07]
View answerA total of five posts in my Department have been authorised for the use of credit cards.
Minister for Defence (This credit card was never used by me and the account was closed on my request.)
Private Secretary to Minister for Defence
Private Secretary for Minister of State at the Department of Defence
Secretary-General of Department of Defence
Human Resources Manager
The total of the annual amounts purchased, including the cumulative interest and the cost per annum on each of the first four of the above-mentioned cards is as follows (figures for 2000 and 2001 were converted to euro):
|
Year |
Annual Amount purchased |
Cumulative Interest |
Cost per annum includes maintenance charges and Government levy |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
2000 |
16,470.57 |
Nil |
107.95 |
|
2001 |
19,670.14 |
5.41 |
114.30 |
|
2002 |
32,878.10 |
Nil |
95.10 |
|
2003 |
34,334.86 |
2.54 |
158.10 |
|
2004 |
34,884.19 |
Nil |
265.40 |
|
2005 |
5,598.29 |
Nil |
158.10 |
|
2006 |
4,568.67 |
Nil |
132.70 |
|
2007 |
4,022.52 |
14.10 |
169.05 |
|
Totals |
152,427.34 |
22.05 |
1,200.70 |
In relation to the Credit Card held by the Human Resources Manager, the position is that prior to 2005 the information requested was collated in such a manner that it would require a disproportionate amount of resources to provide it. However for the years 2005 to date the value of items purchased is €5,963.35. The standard charges imposed by the Banks and a Government levy applies.
814 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33595/07]
View answerThe cost to my Department of photographers to date in 2007 is €14,654.19. The cost for 2006 was €14,589.41. The information with regard to the cost of photography to the Department prior to 2006 is not readily available.
815 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33610/07]
View answerSince my appointment as Minister for Defence in September 2004, I have incurred no make-up costs. There is no record of make-up costs having been incurred by previous Ministers for Defence in the period from 1997 to September 2004.
816 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the cost of his Department’s entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33625/07]
View answerThe provision for official entertainment for my Department is included under Subhead A3.2 of the Defence Vote. The amounts charged against this provision for the years requested are as follows:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
€ |
|
|
1997 |
22,725 |
|
1998 |
17,131 |
|
1999 |
30,917 |
|
2000 |
13,830 |
|
2001 |
23,399 |
|
2002 |
15,928 |
|
2003 |
15,537 |
|
2004 |
21,316 |
|
2005 |
13,363 |
|
2006 |
10,066 |
|
2007 |
11,771 |
