The Government introduced the Irish Government Offsetting Scheme for offsetting greenhouse gas emissions from official travel on 24 June 2008. The administrative structures to permit the scheme to become fully operational were put in place in 2009.
The first payment under this scheme was made in April 2009 in respect of the period 14 June 2007 to 31 December 2008 and amounted to €1,538 of which no charges were due in respect of travel for the Minister and the Minister of State. Payment in respect of year ending 31 December 2009 was processed in February 2010 and amounted to €1,061 of which no charges were due in respect of travel for the Minister or the Minister of State. Payment for year ending 31 December 2010 will be calculated and processed in early 2011.
All offsetting charges due in respect of the Ministerial Air Transport Service are paid by the Department of the Taoiseach, in respect of all Government departments. The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership based in Vienna is charged with administering the scheme on Ireland's behalf and decisions on investing the offsetting funds are dealt with by that body.