Departmental Staff Expenses

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2014

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Questions (604)

Barry Cowen

Question:

604. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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 payments 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 Revenue Commissioners' concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49332/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The information requested by the Deputy regarding subsistence and taxi payments is set out in the table.  

My Department has been audited recently by the Revenue Commissioners for tax compliance. 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.  

-	2011	2012	2013	2014 (to 16/12/14)
T&S	€761,229.05	€908,416.18	€954,234.07	€767,594.40
Taxis	€28,307.86	€33,001.57	€23,619	€22,268.20

Question No. 605 answered with Question No. 603.