Official Travel

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 July 2013

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Questions (852)

Derek Nolan

Question:

852. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is confident that all overseas travel undertaken by staff in State agencies is necessary; if the agencies ensure a robust business is case submitted before travel is sanctioned; if the agencies ensure 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. [36044/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Agencies under my Department’s aegis have been made aware of the ongoing requirement to adhere to Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines concerning travel, subsistence and any associated expenses.

The day-to-day operations of State agencies are, in the first instance, a matter for the management and board of each agency. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies, which my Department has issued to all agencies under its aegis, provides that responsibility for ensuring that management operates effective and efficient internal controls rests with the board of directors or a committee of similar status. The code requires each State body to produce, as part of its annual reporting and accounts, a statement on the internal financial control which operates within the body. The statement is signed by the Chairperson and subject to audit review.

A detailed breakdown of expenditure by each agency is contained in their respective annual reports, the latest versions of which are available in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas.