Official Travel

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 July 2013

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Questions (388)

Derek Nolan

Question:

388. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is confident that all overseas travel undertaken by staff in State agencies is necessary; if the agencies ensure that there is a robust business case submitted before travel is sanctioned; if the agency ensures that the objective of the travel cannot be achieved through other means; if, on their return, the staff have to submit a report on the work carried out while they were on agency business overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36043/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

With regard to official overseas travel, my Department's agencies are required to adhere to Civil Service procedures as set out in guidance in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2009), the Foreign Travel Guidelines 2009 issued by the Department of Finance and any additional guidance as provided from time to time by central Departments. Agencies are cognisant of the need to achieve economy and efficiency in their expenditure on official travel and the board of the agency is required to satisfy itself that the agency is in adherence with the principles of its travel policy and that the internal audit process is effective in insuring that it is fully complying with the policy. In addition each agency is required to furnish, in conjunction with its annual report and accounts, a comprehensive report which includes affirming that all appropriate procedures for financial reporting including travel are being carried out.