Departmental Staff Expenses

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2014

Tuesday, 17 June 2014

Questions (771)

Niall Collins

Question:

771. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. [25823/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The information requested by the Deputy regarding subsistence and taxi payments is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible. 

My Department has been audited recently by the Revenue Commissioners for tax compliance on these payments as well as other benefits in kind and no issues were raised in this regard. 

 Travel and taxi usage policies are reviewed on a regular basis. Changes in relevant circulars issued centrally by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are notified to all Departmental staff as a matter of course.