Departmental Staff Expenses

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2014

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Questions (431)

Barry Cowen

Question:

431. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent per annum in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 on staff subsistence and 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 the Revenue Commissioners' concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49327/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The table provides details of expenditure by my Department on staff subsistence and staff taxi payments in respect of travel in Ireland and abroad from 2011 to date in 2014.

Year	Subsistence	Taxi
	€0	€0
2011	75	17
2012	138	22
2013	148	30
2014 to date	92	18

All travel and subsistence payments are made in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circulars and guidelines.

A Revenue audit of my Department commenced in September 2014 covering the period 1 January 2012 to 5 September 2014 in respect of all relevant payments made by the Department. My Department is concerned at all times to abide by taxation legislation and Revenue guidelines.