Decentralisation Programme Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 December 2013

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Questions (312)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

312. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline what offices relevant to her Department are located or have been decentralised outside of Dublin; if she will provide the total number of staff in her Department and the number of staff based outside County Dublin as of 2013; the annual cost incurred in 2012 and 2013, respectively, for decentralised staff travelling to meetings in Dublin; the number of times staff travelled to individual meetings in Dublin in each of those years; the costs those staff will be reimbursed for; and if her Department has procedures or mechanisms in place such as video conferencing to reduce the cost of travelling for each unit based outside Dublin. [54000/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My Department delivers its front-line services to clients through a network of locally based offices which are dispersed across the country. In addition, 7 of the Department’s headquarter offices are located outside Dublin in Buncrana, Carrick-on-Shannon, Dundalk, Letterkenny, Longford, Sligo and Waterford.

There are over 7,000 staff serving in my Department of which just over 4,500 are based outside County Dublin.

All payments made to staff in respect of travel and subsistence expenses are paid in strict accordance with the relevant regulations as determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The manner in which claims for travel and subsistence expenses are recorded does not allow for the specific breakdown of attendance at meetings in Dublin requested by the Deputy. Travel and subsistence expenses can be payable in respect of reasons other than attending meetings, for example, participating in required training courses, attending as a witness at court or at appeal hearings, attending at interview or representing the Department at various types of working groups.

The Department uses video conferencing where possible, however, attendance in person can be required at certain meetings.

Questions Nos. 313 and 314 withdrawn.