Departmental Banking

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2012

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Questions (554)

Michael McGrath

Question:

554. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form if possible, a list of the bank accounts used by his Department and separately any agencies within the remit of his Department; the purpose of each bank account and the financial institution the bank account is with; the total amount of any interest charged or bank fees incurred by his Department and separately by each agency in 2011 and anticipated figure for 2012; the percentage of payments issued by his Department and each agency which are issued electronically and if the Department agency has any special arrangement in place on the issue of bank charges and fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44842/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department uses six bank accounts which support the main payment and receipting functions of the Department and a further eleven bank accounts which are maintained mainly to support the day to day operation of the Department's regional laboratories (RVLs) and farms. Details of the accounts are set out in the following table:

Financial Institution	Purpose of Bank Account
AIB	Electronic payments to clients & suppliers
AIB	Intervention related electronic payments to clients & suppliers
AIB	Electronic payments to foreign currency clients & suppliers
Bank of Ireland	Electronic payment of salaries and wages
Bank of Ireland	To facilitate receipt of income from customers
Bank of Ireland	To facilitate receipt of income in respect of inspection fees
AIB	Operational expenses & receipts - Cork RVL
Ulster Bank	Operational expenses & receipts - Limerick RVL
Bank of Ireland	Operational expenses & receipts - Sligo RVL
Ulster Bank	Operational expenses & receipts - Kilkenny RVL
National Irish Bank	Operational expenses & receipts - Athlone RVL
Bank of Ireland	Operational expenses & receipts – Backweston RVL
Bank of Ireland	Operational expenses & receipts - Agriculture House
Bank of Ireland	Operational expenses & receipts - Cork Dairy Science Lab
AIB	Operational expenses & receipts – Raphoe Farm
AIB	Operational expenses & receipts - Longtown Farm
AIB	Operational expenses & receipts - Backweston Farm

The net cost of fees charged on the bank accounts was €3,800 in 2011 and a similar amount is anticipated for 2012. Where free banking is not available, the Department has negotiated that interest is earned on credit balances. Some 99% of all payments made by my Department are now paid electronically. The use and cost of bank accounts by the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves.