Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2011
272 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm the number of credit cards issued by her and to whom; the criteria for issuing such cards; the credit card company used; if a competitive process was used to select the company; if the facility has had to be withdrawn from any person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11560/11]
View answerThere are currently six credit cards in use by officers of the Department and one by the Pensions Ombudsman who operates under aegis of the Department and for whom the Department makes payments in respect of administration costs. Details of the cardholders are set out in the following table.
|
Grade |
Section |
Company |
|
Assistant Principal |
Information Unit |
American Express |
|
Pension Ombudsman |
Office of the Pension Ombudsman |
American Express |
|
Assistant Principal |
EU International |
American Express |
|
Assistant Principal |
Staff Development Unit |
Bank of Ireland |
|
Private Secretary |
Minister’s Office |
Bank of Ireland |
|
Assistant Principal |
Central IT Services |
Bank of Ireland |
|
Assistant Principal |
Appeals Office |
Bank of Ireland |
The number of cards issued is very strictly limited to instances where a strong business case for their use is made to the Accountant of the Department. Credit Cards are used for official purposes only and are generally used for room hire, purchase of equipment, software, air-fares, fees and official entertainment. Credit card holders are made aware of procedures for the use of the card and sign a form of undertaking to abide by the conditions of use for credit cards as set down by the Department.
There was no competitive process used in selecting the companies the Department uses for the issue of credit cards.
The facility has never had to be withdrawn from any person apart from when officials are moving from their role in the business area that requires use of a credit card.
