Departmental Staff Expenses

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2014

Tuesday, 17 June 2014

Questions (307)

Niall Collins

Question:

307. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent per annum from 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014 on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits-in-kind; if these processes have been revised in view of concerns by the Revenue Commissioners over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25818/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The following table sets out the amounts spent on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments for the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 as requested by the Deputy. These payments are made in accordance with the rates governed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Travel claims by staff are in compliance with my Department's Travel and Subsistence Policy and Procedures which incorporates Department of Public Expenditure & Reform guidelines in this regard, and includes specific provision in relation to the use of taxis by staff.

-	2011	2012	2013	2014 to date
Subsistence*	566,582.37	603,715.45	895,348.96**	265,483.69
Taxis*	13,736.92	45,904.78	24,530.70	12,573.56

*The figures provided include payments made directly to staff and also to a service provider.

**This figure includes additional expenditure due to Ireland's Presidency of the EU

The Department's overall expenditure is audited on an annual basis, by the Comptroller & Auditor General, as part of the Department's Appropriation Account, and no compliance issues in relation to these matters have been raised with the Department.